A local TD is calling for the long waiting lists for children to have assessments of therapies to be addressed immediately.
Sinn Féin's Pauline Tully says a number of parents in the region have their children on waiting lists for autism assessments for 12 months and are being told they will have to wait another 6-8 months for an appointment.
Deputy Tully says that many families cannot afford to go private for these services, and they should not have to 'contemplate doing so'.
She says that while changes to the system may see assessments accessed sooner in the coming months the therapies must also be readily available: