'We are constantly being left behind'

Dáil protest for more children's disability services

A protest took place outside the Dáil today (Tuesday, September 29) calling for more supports for children with additional needs across the country.

As part of the 'Every Child Matters' campaign, parents from Cavan and Monaghan travelled to Dublin to share how they are not receiving timely services for their children.

Rachel Kearns and Serena Dawson, who have spearheaded multiple protests in Cavan on the issue, were among those gathered at yesterday's protest, while the group also addressed TDs and ministers in the Audio-Visual Room afterwards (see next week's paper).

Speaking to the Celt outside the Dáil, Stephen McKenna from Clones said politicians and HSE management "need to know" what is happening to parents and their children who have additional needs.

Stephen is the parent of two autistic children, and said "parents are on their knees" waiting for services.

"I shouldn't be here today. I should be at home preparing for the future for my children. But no, we chose to be here today to get the government to start working."

"We are constantly being left behind. We shouldn't have to do this in 2026, to come out and protest like this."

"We shouldn't have to beg.. We are standing here, some of us are crying, we fear for our children's welfare."

"The proclamation says to cherish the children of the state. Our children are being severely neglected."

"We are not giving up on this fight, nothing was happening in Cavan so we are up here in the Dáil to make someone listen," Serena said, describing it as "heartbreaking" to have to take their protest to the Dáil.

Serena is the mum of three boys with additional needs, the eldest of whom has been waiting seven years for speech and language therapy and six years for psychology, while he has received "very few" occupational therapy appointments.

"I am here to fight for my children and families like ours."

Meanwhile, Rachel said the situation is "really really stressful".

"Our children have only become worse, they still have no therapies and they are not getting any better."

"We didn't want to be in this situation, we never asked to be in this situation, we are asking to be heard and for the situation to change."