Government failing children with autism in Dublin South-West says Ahern

Responding to figures released to him by the HSE which show a more than 40% reduction in paediatric occupational therapists in the former CHO7 areas since 2023, Labour TD for Dublin South-West Ciarán Ahern has called on Government to urgently address the appalling lack of supports and services available for children with autism and additional needs in the constituency.

Deputy Ahern said:

“Second to housing, the biggest issue that comes across my desk is the lack access to vital therapies for children with autism or additional needs. My office has been inundated with calls and emails from parents who are at their wits end trying to get crucial supports for their children, be it occupational therapy, speech and language therapy or psychology.

“Is it any wonder that parents can’t get these crucial therapies for their children when we’ve seen a more than 40% reduction in occupational therapists in our area in the last 3 years? One local primary care centre had 5 speech and language therapists in 2022. At the beginning of this year, they had one part-timer. It’s simply not good enough and it’s causing genuine harm to vulnerable children and their families.

“Parents who just want what is best for their children are left feeling hopeless, languishing on waiting lists for years on end or else forced to fork out hundreds and hundreds just so that their children can get the help they need through the private sector. And the ones who can afford to pay are the lucky ones; for so many parents and families in Dublin South-West, that’s simply not an option.

“Virtually everyone agrees on the importance of early intervention to give children with complex and additional needs the best chance to live fulfilling and dignified lives with the greatest level of independence possible. That opportunity is being withheld from so many children in my constituency because the level of services and supports available, especially those from families who cannot afford for private therapies.

“I am calling on the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education to intervene so that the crucially important supports are available to children and families in Dublin South-West through our primary care system, our CDNTs and our special schools. The workers in these organisations are doing incredible work and they want to do more but their hands are tied.

“For the sake of children with additional needs and their families, this needs to be at the top of the Minister for Health’s priorities.”