Give us answers on autism care

I WAS delighted to hear Micheál Martin on Ireland AM last week. I am so glad he cares so deeply for autistic children.

Can he now just clarify a few queries I have? Global research states that early intervention between the ages of two and five increases children’s potential for future success significantly. However, at present there seems to be a total lack of acknowledgement among the government that spending money now will actually save the state billions in the future.

Isn’t this government now saving money by denying vulnerable children vital early intervention services? Is this really cost effective? Isn’t he just allowing another generation of children to grow up developing a need for lifelong continuous HSE services?