Concerns are being raised about the lack of speech and language therapists for children after the mother of a primary school pupil with downs syndrome was told she was entitled to just three hours of sessions per year.

The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists says they only have half the number of specialists that are required while Down Syndrome Ireland says the situation is a "cruel joke".

Wicklow woman Joanne Lawless was told her daughter Amanda is entitled to just three hours of therapy over the course of an entire year.

Joanne says Amanda is being denied access to essential services: