The plight of a Tipperary family needing supports from the HSE was highlighted in the Dáil yesterday. An Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he is not satisfied with the services being provided to children with Autism through the HSE. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald mentioned the Darmody family from Ardfinnan who have been struggling to secure additional assessments and autism therapy for their son, Neil. 18,000 children are on a waiting list to get initial contact with the children’s disability team and 2,500 of these children are overdue their assessments.
Neil’s father Mark and sister Cara recently shared the family situation with the Oireacthas Health Committee. The Dáil heard yesterday that the family has been told the child would be on a waiting list indefinitely and now feels ignored by the HSE. The Taoiseach is to arrange for the Government to contact HSE in respect of the Darmody case and in respect of other children on waiting lists. The HSE has also been ordered to appear before the Courts in December to explain the delay in providing services for children with disabilities.
