Ireland-Government votes down FG private members motion on autism

Last night the Government on a vote of 75 to 66 voted down an FG private members motion supporting the provision of ABA for any child who was recommended for the method by psychological assessment.


Fine Gael Education spokesman Brian Hayes in an impassioned speech accused Minister Hanafin of having a “belligerent, authoritarian attitude”. He challenged FF backbenchers to pressurise their party leader on the issue.


Former FF Minister for Education Mary O’Rourke supported the thrust of the FG motion. She alleged that there was a “lingering animosity” in the Department against the provision of ABA services.
The public gallery was packed with parents of children with autism. Undoubtedly some anticipated that Mrs O’Rourke might vote for the FG motion on the basis of her comments. Unfortunately she voted with the Government against the FG motion. FG TDs Simon Coveney and Kieran O’Donnell referred to Mrs O’Rourke’s contradictory stance, in Dail speeches.


No Government TD broke ranks to support the FG motion. FF TDs at constituency level supported the demands of the parents. This support evaporated in the Dail. Green Party TDs as usual failed to provide leadership on the issue and in their utterances are indistinguishable from FF.

Undoubtedly the provision of ABA services -for children recommended by psychological assessment- would be costly for the taxpayer. Nevertheless the costs are miniscule in relation to wastage of exchequer funds on PPARs and Electronic Voting.
Interestingly today The Public Accounts Committee heard that a €9.57m contract awarded for work on part of the Limerick main drainage scheme ended up costing the exchequer almost €83m. The extra €73.43 million would certainly resolve the difficulties in relation to ABA services.


This Private Members Motion has undoubtedly heightened awareness of the problem. It has embarrassed the Government. Nevertheless the problem will fade from public consciousness unless FG can keep the issue on the political agenda. The Government must relent. Parents of autistic children and the children themselves have suffered enough.






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