Residential place for severely autistic son
Deputy McGrath raises a constituent's case involving a severely autistic young man needing a residential place and a funding refusal by the HSE. The Tánaiste says he will ask the Minister of State or his office to respond, as he cannot comment on an individual case.
Yes. I have a constituent, Ms Anna Dunne of Churchtown, Carrick-On-Suir, County Waterford, whose son, Nicholas, who is 20 years old, needs a residential place because he is severely autistic. The safety of Ms Dunne and her family is at risk. We have met the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, but got nowhere. While Ms Dunne's son has been assessed by two different institutions and approved for a residential place, the HSE will not provide the necessary funding. There are many cases like this around the country but this one is profoundly difficult and very challenging for the family who have done great work to keep him at home up to this age. I ask the Tánaiste to talk to the Minister of State because he must make funding available before someone dies.
