Autism assessment waiting times
Deputy Broughan criticised 20-month waits for autism assessments in north Dublin and Fingal and asked for action to speed early intervention. The Tánaiste agreed early assessment was vital and said the issue would be progressed between the Health and Public Expenditure Ministers.
Pages 75 to 77 of the programme for Government refer to services for children. I have a question specifically about children on the autistic spectrum. In north Dublin and Fingal, we have waiting lists of 20 months for a HSE assessment. When a child is two or two and half years old, 20 months for an early intervention is not an early intervention. We had a discussion yesterday at the Committee on Budgetary Oversight with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, about additional funding that is probably available this year for health. Is it possible to bring forward a programme to eliminate those kinds of waiting lists and address early intervention, particularly for children on the autistic spectrum?
Comment on this
I agree that early intervention and early assessment are essential for children on the autistic spectrum. We put more resources into disability all the time. That will continue. This will develop as a conversation between the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.