I want to talk about a number of people from my constituency with whom I have been working. While changes are happening, we need to be careful. Parents and their children have been suffering. They have been neglected and there is a huge issue with trust. In these changes, there will be a real need to bring parents and families along. The big concern is that the changes are another way to avoid taking responsibility and delivering the services needed in schools and primary care, as was mentioned. One family with whom I have been working is that of Gráinne Carney. Her child has autism. I reached out to her. She said that even with the assessment of need, which she has not got, the local CDNT does not even have a psychologist. Even if someone gets the assessment of need, where will the services come from? This is the real challenge. I have worked with another constituent, Rob McMahon, in relation to his son, who is still waiting for a special school place. He said the waiting lists are growing longer. He has a question for the Minister. Have any more staff been taken on to get through this? This question is directly from a parent whose child has additional needs and autism. He said the Minister talks about early intervention being key but parents are not seeing that. That is the reality on the ground. They are not seeing that early intervention that can support their children. That is why there are protests outside the Dáil and families taking action and highlighting this. They can see what is happening to their children. Their children are being let down while other children go to school. It is so difficult for them. They can see what their children are losing out on. Imagine watching your child and knowing their potential is not being supported because they are not able to access the services they need and should have, as a right. As a wealthy country, they should be provided. We are failing children with disabilities in our health system and our education system. While special classes and schools are needed, the services and resources have to be available within the schools and the health services. One family emailed me today. They asked not to be named. Their younger son is six years old. He has been diagnosed with an intellectual disability. He has been waiting for two years for an assessment of need from the local primary care centre. It was delayed because there was no psychologist in place. The family finally got the assessment of need and got the report in November. Prior to that, they had applied to the NCSE for a special school place but, because they had not got the report in time, the NCSE told them they are ineligible for a special school place. This is shambolic. There are thousands of people who have been told they are ineligible, despite their children needing these places. We need action on this.

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