Kenny denies autistic children targeted

The Taoiseach has rejected “out of hand” claims that the Government is deliberately targeting autistic children in evaluations for the domiciliary care allowance.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told the Dáil that parents of children with autism were having the payment removed following “desktop reviews” and without assessment from medical or other experts.

Mr Martin said there was a “deliberate and premeditated patter of focusing on children with autism” when assessing families for the monthly payment.