Thousands of children waiting for therapies 'is a political choice', PBP think-in hears
Speaking at the People Before Profit-Solidarity think-in, Paul Murphy said: 'Society and how it is structured is what disables people as opposed to something inherent in themselves.' Picture: iStock
The lack of services for special needs children is a "horrendous national scandal", according to People Before Profit-Solidarity.
Paul Murphy accused the government of "washing their hands of it" and said they have failed some of the most vulnerable children in the country.
Speaking at the party's think-in on Friday, Mr Murphy said that 110,000 children waiting for necessary therapies is the result of political choices.
There are over 6,000 people waiting for an assessment of needs in one Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) area, he said.
"You have 25 families a month, on average, compelled to go to court to try and achieve their basic legal right for an assessment of needs," Mr Murphy said, adding that this process is also a waste of public money.
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Once a family is successful in getting the assessment, they find themselves on a waiting list waiting for therapies along with 110,000 others, he noted.
Next week when the Dáil returns, Mr Murphy will bring a private members bill seeking special classes in all schools in the state and investment in terms of therapists.
"Society and how it is structured is what disables people as opposed to something inherent in themselves, "It is about physical infrastructure and social infrastructure in our schools to make sure that everyone gets an education appropriate to them."
Other topics discussed at the think-in were the Apple tax decision and the party's proposed wealth tax which Richard Boyd Barrett said could generate between €5-€8bn.
"There is enormous wealth and profits being accumulated by big companies, by very rich people which, if fairly distributed, could actually help resolve the housing crisis, address the cost of living pressures being faced by ordinary working people and provide the resources necessary for vital public services," Mr Boyd Barrett said.
Cork TD Mick Barry said the Apple tax money should not go to paying off the national debt nor put in the Future Ireland Fund but should instead be invested in affordable housing, schools, hospitals and public services.
Ahead of the general election, the party has selected 30 candidates and the hope is to have candidates in every constituency whenever the country heads to the polls.
Mr Murphy said that the outcome of the election is not pre-decided and accused Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael of trying to "demoralise people with that message at the moment".
He predicted that the Green Party will "get a hammering" as a consequence of "selling out" those who voted for them in the hopes of seeing action taken on the climate crisis.
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