'Seven years on a waiting list is not early intervention'

A peaceful public protest took place in Cavan Town this morning to highlight the need for more services for children with disabilities.

The protest was organised by Rachel Kearns and Serena Dawson, both of whom have children who are waiting for services.

Serena told the Celt her eldest son has been waiting to receive speech and language therapy for seven years, while her middle son has been waiting three years and her youngest for two years.

"Early intervention is such a vital part of a child's development and we have been told this since our children got their diagnosis. To me seven years on a waiting list is not early intervention," she outlined.

Both said paying for private therapies and assessments has meant their savings, which were supposed to go towards a deposit for a home, are dwindling.

"Financially every single month is a struggle," Rachel said.

The Kearns family pay €100 per hour for therapy sessions, €300 for school visits and €500 for an assessment.

"We have got nothing from the CDNT. That was our house deposit that is now being spent. We are never going to own a house at this stage because we are just consistently paying for therapies."

She said if the family don't pay these fees they will have to live with the "what if" that comes with this option.

"What if we have of paid for therapy? Could he have talked? Could he have done this?"

Serena said she pays €1300 per month on therapies for her children.

"This shouldn't be the case, these therapies for our children are meant to be provided by primary care and Enable Ireland.

"I think it just needs to be highlighted that this is not what's happening." 

For more see next week's Celt.