I was contacted by a lady named Vanessa. She has 12-old-year twins, John and Leah. John and Leah have dual diagnoses of autism and moderate intellectual disability, so they have quite complex needs. They both attend a special school. They are both non-verbal and they use an augmentative and alternative communication, AAC, device for communication. In recent months, they have both been trying hard to communicate - to talk - and they really need speech and language therapy. The last time a speech and language therapist saw them was a year and a half ago. They both had an individual appointment at the end of August 2022 and there has been nothing since.

Vanessa has been constantly on to the children's disability network team, CDNT, to provide speech and language therapy. The team has told her it has only one therapist employed and it is trying to recruit more. Vanessa's question is, if the CDNT cannot provide that therapy now when required, should it or the HSE not be sourcing it from somewhere else? I would like to put the question to the Minister for disability.

We need to ensure that if a CDNT cannot meet the needs of the children, it should be outsourcing the service because this is something that is needed now. As the Deputy Leader can appreciate, when a child cannot communicate properly, that builds up frustration and can lead to other behaviours which can be damaging to the child or others. It is really important.

Every parent wants the best for their child. Vanessa is really struggling as she sees her children trying to talk but not getting the required help. She is not a speech and language therapist and neither are the teachers in the special school. Everybody is doing their best, but it is a point of urgency that she gets the required help. I ask that we have even a discussion with the Minister for disability on receiving help on this issue.