'The cruellest thing is not the diagnosis for parents, it's the waiting lists'

"The cruellest thing is not the diagnosis for parents, it's the waiting lists."

That's according to one local mother who says her family has faced many challenges when trying to access care and support for her two children who have special needs.

As a result, Linda Whitmarsh and her husband Ronan reached out to other parents of children and adults with disabilities and formed a committee of similar minded parents across Cavan and Monaghan.

Speaking on the Joe Finnegan Show, Linda claimed parents are mentally, physically and financially drained due to the lack of services.

She says the new committee will "help our voiceless children be heard" and added that the current system is failing all children with additional needs and their families.