Waterford Chamber has had two recommendations selected by Chambers Ireland for inclusion in their Pre-Budget submission.
The region’s largest business organisation is calling on Government to amalgamate the funding streams for the technological universities and traditional universities, while also seeking free education for parents of neurodiverse children who are forced out of the workplace due to lack of supports.
According to Gerald Hurley, CEO Waterford Chamber, “While we are currently preparing our own Pre-Budget Submission for publication in the coming weeks, we are delighted that Chambers Ireland has mirrored two of our recommendations for inclusion in their submission. Traditional universities can and do have the ability to borrow their own investment funding, thus giving them the autonomy to build their own future. The new Technological Universities do not have the same ability (outside of student accommodation) and therefore are hamstrung, as their funding streams come via the Government. By amalgamating the funding streams for the technological universities and traditional universities, both can co-exist, thrive and offer the best in education for all third level students, while also allowing equal pay for educators. The highly skilled jobs are here in the region and we must be allowed to reverse the brain drain and retain our talent.
“Our second recommendation is to provide free professional training for parents who are caring for their children with a disability or additional needs in disciplines that support their children, such as Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Psychology, Special Needs Assistant etc.
“There are many parents who are forced out of the workplace to care for their children due to lack of supports. Providing targeted training and upskilling opportunities will enable parents to learn valuable skills to better support their children and create an opportunity to explore a new profession when the time is right. This would not only take the pressure off the HSE and lengthy waiting lists for additional supports, but would provide a cohort of professionals who could not only help their own children, but also others.
“Waterford is aiming to become Ireland’s first Autism Friendly City and for this to be adopted by Government would be a huge step forward. We have presented this idea to a number of Secretary Generals during their visits to our offices and we have also had confirmation from the Taoiseach’s office and that of Minister Anne Rabbitte that the idea is being sent forward for consideration.”
Lynda Lawton, Operations Manager at Waterford Chamber said: “As a parent of an autistic child, this is both a personal and professional campaign for me, and for my colleagues. I am fortunate to be able to work full time thanks to the flexibility Waterford Chamber affords me but I have met so many others who are not. I spent seven years fighting for a multi-disciplinary appointment for my daughter after she was diagnosed with autism. I would have had a PhD in that space of time. I could have supported her needs and helped others in our circle and in turn they could have helped us.
“There is a €1.37bn surplus in the National Training Fund. For a pinch of that, Government could change the lives of so many and give our children every opportunity going forward. My child will not become a statistic, one of the 85% of neurodiverse people who are unemployed in this country and with the support of Waterford Chamber and many other stakeholders, we will continue to lobby on behalf of our neurodiverse community.”
This sentiment was echoed by Ian Talbot, CEO of Chambers Ireland, “Parents throughout the country are facing challenges in obtaining a comprehensive range of services for children with special needs. Providing professional training in such disciplines to parents is a cost-effective, strategic and compassionate approach that can lead to improved outcomes for children, strengthen family bonds, and create a more inclusive society while also relieving pressure on State services in those areas.”.
Meanwhile, the proposal has also been endorsed by Autism Friendly Waterford. Co-Chairperson Maolíosa Ní Chléirigh, who stated: “‘This initiative would be so beneficial to our Autistic community. Training parents and autistic adults, who already have first-hand experience, would help to reduce waiting lists so that children and young adults can get the support they need in a timely manner and go on to fulfil their potential.’”
Karen O’Mahony, founder of Rainbow Club Autism Centre, which helps 1305 families each week, said training and aiding parents is a necessity given the lack of support available for families.
“Training opportunities for parents and carers are vital now more than ever. Our parents are experienced and knowledgeable and should have the opportunity to upskill in the areas the country needs. They have huge experience by bring to the disability space especially, or working for the HSE to deliver services and this should be seriously considered. So many parents want to go back to work or change jobs and this funding could be used for this benefit. Getting parents and carers back to work will support the country, the people they work with and they will have a job they can really thrive in.”
