Youth Services
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-28
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Emer Higgins (FG), Dublin Mid-West

I fully agree and I totally understand that it is difficult for the service to plan going forward. However, those are the constraints under which we operate.
I can totally understand that it is difficult for the service to plan but those are the constraints we operate under. I pay tribute to everybody doing such incredible work. The Sligo-Leitrim autism support service consists of a universal referral system. It consists of weekly one-to-one support which is tailored to each young person and his or her individual needs and aspirations. It enhances personal and social development, and encourages integration into education and training. It assists young people with navigating challenges and bridges the gaps in services. To use the Senator's phrase, challenges do not end at the end of the school day or at the school gates, so the service is really important in bridging that gap for families. Of course, it also provides for onward referrals.
There are some really good statistics in terms of the 36 young autistic people who are listed as active on the service's books. Seven young people's cases have been closed as their needs were met, which is really important. I found it particularly interesting that the majority of young people engaged in the service peaked at key stages of transition in their school lives, specifically from second year to third year, the transfer to leaving certificate, and the transfer on to further education and training after leaving school. That is what we want. We want examples of programmes that are really effective during these key transition points. We know that is where the pinch points often are for families and for the young people themselves. I commend the service and thank the Senator for raising it in the Seanad today.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-28/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:52+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-28