Madam, – Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan TD stated in the Budget, that the most vulnerable in society would not be affected by the recent cutbacks.
After fighting a lengthy battle to get the special needs requirements that my Down Syndrome son needs, and finally getting some degree of success, I was horrified to receive a phone call from the Health Service Executive this week. All special needs assistance hours are being cut to a maximum of six hours per week. My son currently has nine hours per week, even though he should have 12. I have now been called to the HSE to have my child re-assessed.
I know from this that they are going to try to cut his hours even further. Down Syndrome is not like the flu, it does not go away.
I am truly sickened by this. The present administration is now affecting the most vulnerable in society. The least amount of common sense would suggest that early intervention is vital for children with special needs, and is very cost effective in the long run.
Minister for Health, Mary Harney has refused to answer any of my correspondence to her in relation to this matter, and also refused to meet me when I visited the Dáil to highlight the case of children with special needs. Every member of the current Government should hang their heads in shame. – Yours, etc,