Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to raise two issues, the first of which is about the elections. Like many other colleagues in this House, over the weekend I was involved in tallying and adjudicating on spoiled votes. What we have learned is that there were record numbers of spoiled votes in the European Parliament elections, while there were many spoiled votes in the local elections. Obviously, we all have a right to spoil our vote, but from what I viewed - I saw that many had written the word "Yes" or an "X" - people do not know how to vote. We all think it is straightforward and simple, but many people simply do not know what to do. It is incumbent on the Government, therefore, to ensure an education programme is put in place prior to the next election. Perhaps the Electoral Commission might place advertisements showing people how to vote. It is a real pity that there were thousands of spoiled votes across the country and the people concerned probably did not know that they had spoiled their votes. It is very unfair and undemocratic not to show people how to vote.

The second issue I would like to raise is related to services for young people, not just for those on the autism disorder spectrum but also for young people with mental health issues. We know that the number on the waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, has jumped by 6%. At the end of March, the number on the waiting list was 2,738. When we consider what has happened in the case of speech and language therapy services, as well as other therapies, we know that the allocation of money actually works. In 2016 when an extra €4 million was allocated for speech and language therapy services, the number on the waiting list reduced by 10%. We need more than €4 million as there are 7,000 waiting to be assessed for speech and language therapy services and 11,444 to receive them. These are huge figures. These kids are our future and, as we all know, early intervention is critical. In the scheme of things and particularly when we consider the amount of money to be spent on the national children's hospital and under the broadband plan, €4 million is a pittance. If extra money can help to make a dent in the waiting list, let us give it because this is where it matters and there would be a positive impact.