‘The true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members.”

This quote is usually attributed to the great Indian civil rights leader, Mahatma Gandhi, some argue wrongly, but others, like the late Pope Francis, former US vice president Hubert Humphrey and many more, have echoed the theme and sentiment in various speeches over the years. Politicians too, of all hues, often use a version of this line or quote to talk about the importance of how our society treats the elderly, people with disabilities, children, the sick or the needy.

This idea comes into sharp focus when you consider two important articles in this week’s Irish Country Living by Jacqueline Hogge and Rosalind Skillen. In both cases, those with disabilities, particularly autism, are being failed by the State. If this were an exam, Ireland and our Government would certainly be getting a poor grade.

ADVERTISEMENT

On page 10, the parents of Lucy Lowry (5) wear t-shirts with a clear message: “Education is a right, not a privilege”. However, when Rachel and Aaron should be preparing their daughter, who is autistic, for her first day at school alongside her older sister Amelia, they are facing the very real prospect that she may have to stay at home. The autism unit at her local school is full, and the promised extra special class has yet to come on stream.

Worse still, though, is the fact that over 16,000 are waiting for that vital assessment

The Children’s Ombudsman, Dr Niall Muldoon, sums up the situation as heartbreaking, because that is what it is. “It is totally unfair on some of our most vulnerable students that there is still no coherent, comprehensive plan to guarantee every child can access a local school that meets their needs when they are due to. Full inclusion must move from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘must-have’, and we need urgent, decisive action to make that vision a reality.” While the department declined to give a figure on how many children are in the same boat, they said arrangements are being made to support children not starting school in September.

On page 12, Rosalind Skillen details the ongoing fight by parents who think their child may have a disability to have the Assessment of Need (AON) process completed. Remember, this right is set out in the Disability Act 2005, which requires the State to complete an AON within a six-month time frame. In reality, figures obtained by Irish Country Living show that only 12% of cases met this target in the second quarter of 2025. Worse still, though, is the fact that over 16,000 are waiting for that vital assessment. Without it and a formal diagnosis, children are unable to access publicly funded supports or access an autism class, as Kildare parent AnnMarie Walsh details – one of many parents countrywide who have waited years for an AON. She eloquently recounts the battle and what she considers missed opportunities for her son Jake.

Parents of children with disabilities are well used to having to fight for even the basics, but why should they always have to? It’s exhausting. It’s time our Government steps up and lives up to its side of the bargain.