Calls for funding commitment as Sligo-Leitrim autism service demand grows
Demand surges for Sligo–Leitrim autism support service as referrals rise sharply, but uncertainty remains over long-term funding beyond 2026.
Demand is increasing for a service supporting families in Leitrim and Sligo with children who have autism, but concerns have been raised about its funding.
The Home Youth Liaison Service (HYLS) has been assisting families in Leitrim and Sligo since 1989. The service provides confidential, personalised support to young people and their families, with the aim of enhancing the young person’s future personal and social development and overall well-being.
Senator Nessa Cosgrove spoke about HYLS in the Seanad on Tuesday, April 28, highlighting the work it carries out and noting that she worked in the service for 17 years.
“Support does not begin and end at the school gate or at the beginning and end of the school day. The service is a genuinely wraparound service offering an immediate and integrated response with the objective of improving and enhancing the life and future outcomes of the young person who uses the service,” said Senator Cosgrove.
An autism support worker role was introduced in 2024 as part of a needs-based response, in collaboration with the Sligo Leitrim Children and Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC) and HYLS.
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Since its introduction, the service has experienced growing demand. “This service is valuable, worthwhile and sought after. The numbers prove this. In its first year of operation, the service supported 36 young people with autism in Sligo.
“By March of this year, in a period of just three months, a total of 68 referrals had been received by the service, along with a further 40 initial inquiries,” Senator Cosgrove told the Seanad.
Referrals to the service come from professionals such as the HSE, CAMHS, and Foróige, as well as from young people themselves. “Given the success of the service, Sligo and Leitrim sought funding to have the post extended. It has been extended until the end of 2026. Also sought was the creation of a new post, for six months, in Leitrim. That has happened, so the service is really grateful,” said Senator Cosgrove.
She asked that the “required commitment” be made by the Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Emer Higgins TD, to ensure that both posts will be funded and supported for 2026.
“This would mean a total annual cost of €125,000, which, for the service the staff provide, is a drop in the ocean,” she said.
Minister Higgins confirmed that once-off HSE funding has been secured until the end of the year, which includes hiring a second autism support worker for part of the year, but there is no firm commitment for funding in 2027.
“Consideration for further recurring funding for 2027 would be subject to the Estimates process and a new application funding form would therefore need to be submitted by the home youth liaison service,” said Minister Higgins.