‘No money has been paid out from the Children's Disability Services Fund’ - Doherty

The government has been criticised for failing to release Children’s Disability Services Grant funding.

Sinn Féin’s Deputy Pearse Doherty has flagged the fact that the government promised on multiple occasions that money would be released to successful applicants in today’s parliamentary questions. 

The groups have been waiting over 22 months for the funding to be delivered. Four are located in Donegal, including the Donegal East Children’s Disability Network Team in Letterkenny, the Donegal North Children's Disability Network Team in Letterkenny, the Donegal South West Children’s Disability Network Team in Dungloe, and the Inishowen Children’s Disability Network Team in Buncrana.

"In a response to my Parliamentary Question, the government has confirmed that, despite promising for a second time back in July that funding would be released to successful applicants, no money has been paid out from the Children's Disability Services Fund,” Teachta Doherty said. “It's now over 22 months since funding was first announced. That's €3.6 million that 4 service providers for children with additional needs in Donegal could be availing of at a time when they desperately need the funds. There are also 48 service providers nationwide waiting.

"Let's not forget that this was a fund that was initially set up as emergency funding to fill the gap that existed in services that provide support to children with additional needs. 

"Let's also not forget how the government made 9-year-old Jack Donaghey feel like he was being used as an election prop when they first announced that funding would be provided to successful applicants two days before the election last year. 

“This case perfectly exemplifies how the government is treating kids with additional needs. It is a 'go-slow ', do-nothing government. The lack of urgency with this matter is yet another example of this. A government that puts children with additional needs front and centre would have cut through the red tape by now. 

“Only through my own pressure has the government been pressured into taking any action at all regarding this matter. 

"It is quite frankly beyond belief that I am having to raise this issue yet again, but I have made a commitment to parents and this is why I am again raising this issue. This is why I will continue to raise the issue until children begin to benefit from this fund."

Children’s Disability Services are available for young people up to 18 years who have complex needs.