There have been calls for improved services for children with additional needs in Cavan and Monaghan.
Local TD, Brendan Smith raised the need for after school services, including summer camps and Saturday clubs, for children in Co. Cavan with additional needs.
Enable Ireland is the children's disability network team, CDNT, in County Cavan.
According to Deputy Smith, due to staff shortages, it has been under extreme pressure to deliver the services it wants to provide for children with disabilities.
He told the Taoiseach Micheál Martin that there is a proposal from Cavan CDNT with the HSE or the Department to establish after-school services in County Cavan.
Parents also believe that there is the relevant expertise and capacity locally to provide these essential services.
Deputy Smith told the Dáil theproposal must be progressed and approved without further delay.
He said: "I raise again the urgent need for improved services for children with additional needs in Cavan and Monaghan. Specifically, I wish to refer today to the need to provide after-school services, including summer camps and Saturday clubs, in County Cavan for children with additional needs.
"Enable Ireland is the children’s disability network team, CDNT, in County Cavan. Due to staff shortages, it has been under extreme pressure to deliver the services it wants to provide for children with disabilities. I understand from parents that there is a proposal from Cavan CDNT with the HSE or the Department to establish after-school services in County Cavan.
"Parents also believe that there is the relevant expertise and capacity locally to provide these essential services. This proposal must be progressed and approved without further delay. Parents with children attending such a service in County Monaghan speak in glowing terms of the importance and value of the supports provided in that centre for the progressive development of their children.
"These supports are vital over the summer months and at other times for the overall development of children with autism and complex needs. That includes their education, communication and daily living skills," Deputy Smith added.
The Taoiseach thanked Deputy Smith for raising the issue.
He said he "had to get under the bonnet" of the issue.
"I thank Deputy Smith for raising this matter. I want to acknowledge his strong commitment to ensuring that children and their families in Cavan who need early intervention and therapy services can access that support in a timely way," the Taoiseach said.
"My understanding is that there is no after-school school support provided by Cavan CDNT, but Enable Ireland apparently advises that it is planning on putting in an application to provide after-school and respite. I need to get underneath the bonnet of that," the Taoiseach promised.
