Mattie McGrath: Warns of 2-year autism assessment waits in South Tipperary
Mattie McGrath spoke about autism services in South Tipperary, warning that children are being abandoned due to severe delays in assessments and shortages of special school places. He said HSE-confirmed wait times for autism assessments now exceed two years and that 223 children are waiting.
The HSE has confirmed that the wait time for autism assessments is now in excess of two years, with 223 children waiting for an assessment in South Tipperary.
He said families had been told children could access assessments privately if the HSE continued to fail, but that private access is not happening.
He said at least 17 children in South Tipperary are waiting for a placement in special school, and many others are waiting for placements in special classes. He warned that some schools that have places will not be allowed to give them.
He asked the Taoiseach to try to alleviate the situation and noted that the minister had pledged to force schools to take places. He thanked the minister for engaging and for a recent visit to the Cascade, and asked to identify schools that have places but are not being filled so the matter can be taken up with the minister.
The Taoiseach responded that the immediate focus is to secure places for all children and said the Munster area is more or less on track, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in Dublin.
Assessment waiting times
The HSE has confirmed that the wait time for autism assessments is now in excess of two years, with 223 children waiting for an assessment in South Tipperary.
Private assessment access
He said families had been told children could access assessments privately if the HSE continued to fail, but that private access is not happening.
School placements
He said at least 17 children in South Tipperary are waiting for a placement in special school, and many others are waiting for placements in special classes. He warned that some schools that have places will not be allowed to give them.
Government response and requests
He asked the Taoiseach to try to alleviate the situation and noted that the minister had pledged to force schools to take places. He thanked the minister for engaging and for a recent visit to the Cascade, and asked to identify schools that have places but are not being filled so the matter can be taken up with the minister.
Regional progress and challenges
The Taoiseach responded that the immediate focus is to secure places for all children and said the Munster area is more or less on track, while acknowledging ongoing challenges in Dublin.
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Transcript
Today is called Autism Day, but children with autism are being abandoned in South Tipperary. The HSE have confirmed that the wait time for autism assessments is now in excess of two years, and there are 223 children waiting for an autism assessment. We were told in the past that children could access assessments privately if the HSE continued to fail, but that's not happening. Beyond that, I have repeatedly raised the difficulty of children with autism getting appropriate school places. We know we have at least 17 children in South Tipperary waiting for a placement in special school, and while many others are waiting for a placement in special classes. The Minister has said that she's going to force schools to take places, but we have schools that are waiting for places and won't be allowed to give them. So, Taoiseach, on this day especially, would you please try and do something to alleviate it? I know a lack of progress has been made with the number of schools recently, and indeed a number of classes in South Tipperary. I thank Minister Minahan for engaging very, very – and he has visited the Cascade recently as well. Thank you, Deputy McGrath. We need to do more here for the likes of young Michael Ballard to care and others who are waiting. Thank you, Deputy. To you have to respond. Well, first of all, I thank you, Deputy for raising these issues. If you could maybe identify those schools that have places, but for some reason they're not being filled, I take that up with the Minister. I know you've been engaged with Minister Moynihan, and certainly our immediate focus is to get places for all children. I understand in the Munster area more generally that is more or less on track, and we just want to keep on top of it. As I said earlier to other questions, there are still challenges in Dublin. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.