'Heartbreaking' stories of children waiting for therapies

System is failing children and families

Such is the impact caused by the lack of essential therapies for children with additional needs, that there was unanimous support for motions tabled by five different elected representatives on the issue at the December meeting of Cavan County Council.

The word “heartbreaking” was repeated several times at Dowra Resource Centre where the meeting took place. Cllrs Áine Smith (FF), Noel Connell (SF), Niamh Brady (FG), Brendan Fay (Ind) and Philip Brady (FF) all tabled motions, each outlining the severe shortage in disability services across Cavan. They all also requested that the council write to the Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, the HSE and the Minister for Disability Norma Foley to highlight the issue once again.

Cllr Brady (FF), who attended a recent protest by parents along with Cllr Connell (SF), said it would “break your heart” to listen to their individual stories. As a parent of similar-aged children to those he met, Cllr Brady said it was “tough to listen to the stories” and said it is “especially” hard for parents in this situation in the run up to Christmas.

“They don't have breaks,” he pointed out.

‘Breaking point’

“These kids aren't able to get medical cards because one parent is working,” he continued, describing the situation of one family who is expected to run a home, a family and provide support and care to their child with a disability.

“We don't have enough occupational therapists to even have a group therapy session,” he fumed, noting that the parents he met at close to “breaking point”.

While he agreed the council should write to the ministers and the HSE, he looked ahead to the New Year when the response would come in January or February.

“What's the answer going to be?” he asked. “I don't know if a letter is going to make a significant difference.”

He suggested the council “go further”.

“We need to get on to the people higher up to say something needs to be done.”

Cllr Connell also noted the “serious injustices” experienced. He met two young mothers at the protest- one of whom has been waiting for five years for essential therapies for her child.

Another mother had tried to enrol for “several school placements” and found there was “no space” available.

“Parents are frustrated,” he stated, adding it is “not good enough”.

“We can send €125 million to Ukraine but there is no money for additional needs,” he lambasted, concluding that “they [children with additional needs] don't matter” to the government.

Cllr Smith also expressed her disappointed with the system she feels is “failing children and families”.

“Long waiting lists, unclear pathways, poor communication, and lack of coordinated support have left many children without the basic assessments, therapies, and interventions they urgently need.

“Families are carrying the burden of a system that should be supporting them, not blocking them,” she opined.

Cllr Smith said therapies such as speech and language, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and behavioural support are “not optional” and described them as “critical” for children to develop the skills needed in daily life.

“Too many families are facing long waiting times and limited access to these services,” she stated.

“The stress on families is immense, as parents often struggle to find private support or cope without the help their child urgently needs.”

“Early intervention works,” she pointed out.

“Timely and consistent therapies can make a real difference, helping children communicate, gain independence, and reach their potential.”

She said delays can have “long-term consequences” that affect the child’s education, mental health, and overall well-being.

“This council has a responsibility to speak up for our most vulnerable children.”

Cllr Smith said they must “urge” the government to provide increased funding and resources, and create a plan to reduce waiting times and ensure every child with additional needs has access to the therapies they require.

Niamh Brady (FG) described the motion as “deeply personal” having attended the “heartbreaking” parents forum in Cavan recently.

She spoke of the “harmful delays” for services experienced by families. While “many” turn to private services, she acknowledged not all can afford to do this.

“No parent should have to choose between financial stability and their child's development.

“The problem is clear; there is no staff and no plan for the scale of the need,” she believes.

“Our children deserve better and our families deserve better,” Cllr Brady concluded.

Brendan Fay (Ind) meanwhile said this was the third time this year he was raising a similar motion, at a time when people are “just totally devastated”.

He is aware of the plight of one particular family who have three children with additional needs- “all in different schools”.

Delays

“The areas of occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology are all experiencing extremely long waiting lists,” he said.

Due to these delays, children are not getting the essential therapies they need and so teachers and special needs assistants (SNAs) and families are coming under “significant strain”.

He highlighted “concerns” regarding the children's safety when they are not receiving the “appropriate” interventions, while also raising the need for “additional funding.”

“Services are not optional they are essential,” he pointed out, adding that “families cannot afford to wait any longer”.

Cllr Fay referenced Article 23 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which protects the right of the children with disabilities to special care.

“The government are fit to find money for everything else, why do councillors have to write time and time again?”

John Paul Feeley (FF), Patricia Walsh (FF) and Damien Brady (SF) all supported the motions raised.

Cllr Feeley recalled how he attended the recent forum for parents held in the Cavan Crystal Hotel, where he heard how the “burden of care” is being foisted on families.

“You want your children to thrive in life,” said Cllr Walsh, noting how people “can't afford private occupational therapists”.

“The system is failing children and their families, early intervention is essential,” stated Cllr Damien Brady.

T.P. O'Reilly (FG) also backed the motion.

“We don't seem to be getting any further, and I'm wondering if there's anything extra we can do?” he said, suggesting they could all sign a letter to be sent to the ministers.

Cllr Fay agreed, and pointed out that the council is “doing the same” each time and “expecting a different result.”

The Cathaoirleach also agreed they “should pursue other avenues.”