Parents of children with special needs have been forced to take matters regarding supports into their own hands.
That’s according to Fine Gael TD for Donegal, Joe McHugh.
Deputy McHugh spoke in the Dáil on behalf of the Special Needs Parents Network in Donegal, who have carried out research themselves on supports needed, with vacancy levels within the HSE across the country almost at 60%.
Access to more therapy and equipment, redeployment of services to other areas, an emergency support for private therapy and more support and guidance for schools are among the solutions brought forward by the Parent’s Network.
In response, Minister Anne Rabbitte suggested introducing the HSE’s National Access Policy to relieve some of the pressure.