Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Thank you for allowing me to raise the matter. I, too, welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank her for being here.

I wish to raise the case of Mr. Gary Walton. He is a 33 year adult who requires support services. I seek an update on what services are available to him and his family. He was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome along with an anxiety disorder.

The bottom line is that this is a very traumatic and tragic case. This young man was remanded in custody following an incident with his mother and he was released from prison yesterday. I am sure that everyone will agree that putting somebody in custody is not the answer to an issue for someone who has been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome or a disability. I have spoken to his mother. She has emailed many of us about her son and she has also spoken on local radio. She is of the view that he needs to be placed in short-term residential care and receive treatment for a period. I am sure we can all agree that this is a very serious issue. The assault on his mother was brought before the courts. His mother, Phyl, has very much advocated, on behalf of her son, for HSE services to be made available, in terms of whatever facilities and joined-up thinking we can bring to this case. I have spoken to and listened to Phyl, and read the newspaper accounts of the court case and her appeal. It is worth noting that Professor Michael Fitzgerald made the diagnosis. The solution is to offer support and put in place joined-up thinking. I know that the Minister of State will reply but I hope that we can collectively, including the HSE and Gary's family, come together and engage in a conversation so that appropriate services are put in place.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to raise the matter and I thank the Minister of State for being here this morning.