Government urged to address anomalies in Therapy Refund Scheme

A federation grouping organisations for persons with disability has welcomed the government's increase in the Therapy Refund Scheme from €750 to €1,000 annually per child, as well as the extension of eligibility to the age of 23. It said, however, that for children with severe needs, this amount might only cover the cost of therapy for a single month.

"MFOPD is aware of many cases where parents have chosen to provide their child or children with ABA Therapy and/or Behaviour Therapy. Unfortunately, these therapies are not included in the list covered by the Therapy Refund Scheme administered by CRPD. As a result, these parents are unable to benefit from the related tax credits," the federation said. 

"Just as different medications work differently for different individuals, so too do therapies. Parents of children with disabilities continually seek the most effective interventions for their children — often at significant personal financial cost. It is only natural for parents to want the best for their children, and no parent would continue paying large sums for therapies that do not yield results," the federation said. 

"It is also a fact that, for several years, the government — through the Ministry for Education — has funded, and is still funding these same therapies for some children. A number of students receive daily, individualised interventions using ABA at a particular therapy centre throughout the scholastic year. MFOPD therefore joins parents in asking: why is it acceptable for the government to fund these therapies during school hours, but not acceptable for parents to receive even a small reimbursement for the substantial costs they incur privately to help their children improve?"

The federation urged the authorities to address and rectify this situation without further delay, in the best interest of children with disabilities and their families.