Louth Labour candidate says local families affected by autism are being failed
Mrs Karpenko said figures showed that access to all kinds of therapies are slim to non-existent
Labour’s local election candidate in Ardee, says that local families affected by autism in Mid-Louth are being failed by the government parties.
Labour candidate, Kate Karpenko said:
“As I’ve gone around from door-to-door in Mid-Louth, I’ve been struck by how many families affected by autism are feeling let down by the current government.
“I’ve met so many families with children with autism who are on long waiting lists for vital interventions who feel forgotten.
“We know that early intervention is so important for children with autism and in so many cases, this simply isn’t happening.”
The Labour candidate added: “Figures obtained last year, by the Labour Party showed disability services in Louth in general, are in crisis.
“The figures showed that access to all kinds of therapies are slim to non-existent in Louth.
“Even obtaining up to date figures, proved difficult but for example, we saw children routinely waiting over a year for their first occupational therapy assessments.”
The Labour candidate explained: “I’ve talked to so many distressed parents on this campaign who are at their wit’s end and don’t know where to turn for help.
“We simply have to much better and give families affected by autism and a whole range of disabilities and additional needs, more support.
“Labour has already made some progress in this area. Last year, we passed a private members’ motion in the Dáil calling for improved autism and disability assessments and supports.”
In response, the Minister for Disability confirmed she would take up our policy approach of allowing parents who must resort to playing for their own assessments for children with disabilities to be reimbursed by the State, if the government failed to provide promised regional assessment teams.
Mrs Karpenko continued: “While this was a welcome step, it does not go far enough.
“The needs of these children must be met by the State.
“Our children are being let down by an under-resourced and over-capacity system.
“No child should have to wait for vital assessments and the kinds of early intervention that can make a transformational difference in their lives.”
Kate Karpenko is Labour’s candidate in the Ardee electoral area for the upcoming local elections on 7th June .