Teenage autism campaigner Cara Darmody has begun a weekly protest outside Government Buildings – and has vowed to continue until her demands are met.

The 13-year-old from Tipperary has two autistic, nonverbal brothers and became involved in campaigning after they were not assessed in a timely manner. 

Over the years, she had met a number of TDs - including Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin - and urged them to speed up the assessment process for children with special needs. 

Today, Taoiseach Simon Harris stopped off to speak to her before a Cabinet meeting and promised her a formal meeting within the next 48 hours.

'So wrong'

“There are 20,000 children who are basically rotting on HSE waiting lists and they have to wait a couple of years for this,” Cara told Newstalk. 

“That is wrong and the HSE is breaking […] a 2005 disability law that states that children must be assessed within six months of their application to be assessed. 

“But they don’t comply with that in nearly every single case - in over 90% of cases in Ireland. 

“That is so wrong and that’s what needs to change and that’s why I’m up here.” 

Cara Darmody outside Government Buildings. 18/06/2024. Picture by: Newstalk

Cara feels strongly that the health service is failing children and politicians need to follow up on their promises of reform.

“The previous two Taoisigh promised me that they would make changes to the autism assessment services but that did not happen,” she said.  

“They did not comply with their promise. 

“So, now I’m going to come up here because I cannot rely on the adults in the room any longer to make change.”

Cara Darmody outside Government Buildings with Tánaiste Micheál Martin. 18/06/2024. Picture by: Newstalk

Cara arrived at Government Buildings at 8am this morning and plans to stay there until 11.30am. 

Her protest coincides with the weekly meeting of Cabinet ministers and Cara said she was hopeful they will stop and chat to her.

“I’m going to have a word with all the Ministers and I’m going to try and meet as many people as I can,” she said. 

“I aim to meet about 100 politicians, I’m going to meet them all and basically just tell them what needs to change and why I’m up here.

“I would like the Government to just give a timeline as to when they’re going to comply with the Assessment of Needs Law.

“[They should] say that they’re going to make changes and give a date as to when [they will] make that change.” 

Tomorrow, Cara will be outside Leinster House from 1PM to 4PM and has vowed to keep up her protest every week until the General Election or, “until I get what I want”.

Reporting by Stephanie Rohan. 

Main image: Cara Darmody with Taoiseach Simon Harris. Picture by: Newstalk