Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate her on her appointment to what is one of the most serious portfolios in government. I am substituting for Senator Bradley, who is a leading advocate for people with disabilities. I wish her all the best.

Last week, I attended an information evening entitled Breaking Barriers, which was hosted by Ballybunion Community and Family Centre in north Kerry and chaired by Ms Laura Bennett. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Jacqui Harteveld at the Listowel Family Resource Centre, who also worked on this initiative, which aimed to inform and enlighten people, at a time of anxiety when their child has been diagnosed with a disability, about the pathways available to them. The objective of the meeting was to provide valuable resources and expert insights on supporting children with additional needs. This event was co-ordinated by professionals, parents and caregivers to share knowledge, connect and build a stronger and more inclusive community. The stress and anxiety experienced and expressed by all caregivers present was remarkable. They outlined the steps involved, from the first stages of referral either by their medical doctor or through self-referral to their primary care centre, to reach the children's disability network team, CDNT, which assesses children for complex and non-complex needs. The biggest cause of anxiety was the length of time spent on public waiting lists. What was also frustrating on the path from diagnosis was the lack of consideration of the family's needs and the lack of information. There was no communication with parents or guardians.

People with autism face many challenges but supports are available through the AsIAm charity, which promotes the needs of those with autism and provides support to help others to understand autism. Back in the dark days, autism was seen as a mental health issue but it is not, and it is not pathological either. April is autism awareness month and, as the programme for Government makes clear, there is a lot of work to be done. It is essential that we implement the autism innovation strategy and ensure the development of a successor strategy. We must legislate to place an autism strategy on a statutory footing. We must co-develop initiatives for people with autism to address service gaps at different stages of the life cycle. We must also expand the network of autism one-stop shops and create pathways for assessment and intervention for adults with autism. The Government must continue to support initiatives that foster the inclusion of the neurodiverse community and increase the sensory initiative grant so that communities can develop sensory gardens, hubs and spaces. This was spoken about in depth at the meeting I attended.

During my Seanad election campaign to represent the most vulnerable, I spoke with Fine Gael Councillor Anne-Marie Ford, who has been in the teaching profession for 28 years. In the past ten years, like so many teachers and school leaders, she has witnessed an enormous increase in pupils with additional needs in school. She believes that this is reflected nationally and internationally. Alongside this, she has been working in mental health services and has seen a rapid increase in the caseload of providers of these services, particularly post pandemic. Working in both of these fields has demonstrated to her the significance of the early years experience and its impact later on. As a result, she seeks a strategic, early intervention approach in education and service provision. This would mean a crossover or combined approach in health and education services. As outlined in the programme for Government, a cross-departmental examination of where disability spending delivers the best results should inform future funding. This will ensure that all children, regardless of the challenges they face, can realise their full potential and contribute to society. This will be best achieved through a proactive rather than reactive approach. A strategic, planned approach is needed, starting at the first stage of identification of needs by the public health nurse in the first year or two of life, followed through with a specialised early intervention programme with specialist trained teachers and multi-agency teams for three years, instead of two, to allow sufficient time for the interventions to benefit the child. Focusing on an intensive, evidence-based and standardised early intervention approach would increase the chances of children being prepared for and able to attend mainstream settings in their own communities, where they have the opportunity to learn alongside their peers who do not have additional needs. This would decrease the need for so many special class placements, which pose long-term problems for future integration back into society and, as mentioned, respite care. The practical benefits of an early-intervention approach will reduce the economic burden on society because it will result in a reduction in the need for respite services and will promote independence in young people, enabling them to contribute to the society in which they live. It will result in a reduction in the waiting lists for mental health and addiction services as well as in the numbers entering the criminal justice system or becoming homeless, thanks to the provision of early support systems.

As is outlined in the programme for Government, this can be achieved through the provision of school-based therapeutic services which link in from the initial early intervention settings to services that follow the individual child, ensuring the correct school placement. These therapeutic services would work in line with the new Sláintecare regional model of oversight, with the provision of psychiatry, psychology, physiotheraphy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services. This support should follow the child from national school into secondary school and beyond. Class sizes must allow an integrated and inclusive approach, giving each child the opportunity to thrive socially and emotionally. This is an investment in our children and in our future.

The programme for Government commits to advancing the rights and improving the lives of people with disabilities and to prioritising the publication and funding of a new national disability strategy setting out its vision to 2030. I wish to raise the serious issue of the lack of respite services in Kerry and to propose what can be described as a business plan for St. Francis Special School in Beaufort, County Kerry.It is committed to providing care and education to pupils with moderate and severe to profound intellectual disabilities. A key strength of the school is the strong peer community that has been fostered over the years. Pupils develop deep friendships and find a sense of belonging within the school community, which is a critical part of their overall development.

As the students transition into adulthood, they face a significant gap in service provision and the disruption of their peer network can lead to distress and regression. There is an urgent need for an adult day service and a respite service to be established on the grounds of St. Mary of the Angels. By implementing this initiative, we can ensure continuity of care. St. Mary of the Angels would provide a familiar setting, reducing stress and enhancing the well-being of young adults. The community of peers built at St. Francis school would be maintained, fostering continued social interaction and emotional support. School staff are highly trained to meet the specific needs of all pupils and would be available to support adult day services. The grounds already accommodate individuals with similar needs, making it an ideal location for such an initiative.

Taking this approach would also reduce stress for the families of the children concerned by providing a guaranteed pathway from school to adult care, thereby eliminating the need to find appropriate replacement care. Parents would have peace of mind knowing that their children would remain in a supportive and familiar environment. The preservation of the peer community would provide reassurance for families that their children remain engaged and supported. It would also make effective use of existing resources. St. Mary of the Angels is centrally located within the region, making it very accessible. The transport network is already in place and by using an existing site, we would eliminate the need for families to seek placement in alternative, unfamiliar and distant locations.

There would also be long-term cost savings. A structured transition service would result in significant savings for the HSE and the State. Currently, a substantial amount of time and resources are spent trying to find or create places for school leavers in existing services, many of which are at full capacity. Without proper transition planning, many young adults experience regression and require additional medical and psychological intervention, thereby placing more strain on the HSE. By establishing services within an existing campus, we would eliminate the need for costly adaptations to other facilities.

The programme for Government commits to progressively increasing funding for respite services. Let us start with St. Mary of the Angels in Beaufort, County Kerry. Our most vulnerable and their families deserve better. The solutions I am proposing tick all the boxes for students and their carers, their peers and families, the HSE, the healthcare system and the State. I invite the Minister of State to discuss these proposals in detail. I invite her to Kerry to meet the most dedicated people working and fighting for a better future for all.