One TD says 2,000 children waiting for occupational therapy in Laois and Offaly.
The Health Minister is being called upon to address a crisis in autism services in the midlands.
Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley says 74 per cent of the 2,000 children waiting for occupational therapy in Laois and Offaly have been on the list for over a year.
At least 160 children have been waiting over 12 months for speech and language services, with a further 530 waiting on assessments.
The Laois-Offaly deputy says there's no shortage of specialists in Ireland and it's our health system that's failing children: