Mattie McGrath: Warns of Collapse in Disability Services and School Places

Mattie McGrath described a collapse of disability services in South Tipperary and warned of severe shortages in autism assessments and school places. He said CD&T teams and local therapy services are not fit for purpose and urged the department to take serious action.

Service failures in South Tipperary

Mattie McGrath said disability services in South Tipperary are "simply non-existent and not fit for purpose." He highlighted that CD&T teams have huge vacancies and long waiting lists despite the efforts of therapists working there.

Shortages in assessments and therapies

He reported that children are "crying out for autism assessments, psychology services, speech and language and OT," and that the services are not meeting demand. The speech emphasised unmet need across assessments and allied health supports.

School places and blocked ASD units

McGrath warned of a huge shortage of appropriate school places, with parents scrambling to find placements for September. He said some schools that have offered ASD units are encountering delays and "brick walls from the department."

Named children and institutions affected

He cited children such as Michael Barrett and Oceane Carroll who cannot get school places and others who remain without placement. He also named Scullyank as an institution "busting at the seams" awaiting additional accommodation and said the department has not provided the needed help.

Call for urgent action

McGrath concluded that the situation is a "severe, severe issue" and called for the matter to be grasped and for serious action to be taken to address shortages in services and school provision.