A survey of Fianna Fail backbenchers revealed that almost two-thirds of respondents felt that Minister Hanafin was not doing enough to make Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) more widely available to children with autism.

Former Education Minister and Fianna Fail TD, Mary O’Rourke, spoke of the intended meeting on Newstalk’s Breakfast Show.

“From time to time, though not very often, if there is a contentious issue which has arisen among backbenchers or whoever, the Taoiseach asks the relevant Minister to have a full meeting with those who are concerned,” Mary O’Rourke told the radio programme.

When asked if she was hopeful the meeting would lead to a change in government policy towards the provision of ABA, she said she was “hopeful that the Minister will listen.”

Irish Autism Action has welcomed the meeting as a constructive move. (Source: Athlone Advertiser)