Parents of autistic children around the country and hitting back at an Irish autism charity after they announced cuts to its outreach services for children.
Irish Autism Action (IAA) voted to restructure and focus more on awareness campaigns after their income dropped by over €600,000 in just three years.
The Irish charity was once fronted by Keith Duffy who helped with public fundraising, a major source of the charity's income.
In a statement released by the charity they said the were providing 17 families with outreach services but that it was withdrawn from 15 due to funds.
"This situation was unacceptable and so in 15 cases we withdrew from providing the service. The remaining two cases were considered too critical to discontinue."
Effected parents are also saying that subsidised therapy sessions that the charity provided have also been cut but IAA says that it not the case.
The charities decision to "focus exclusively on national advocacy, information/advice and support and national awareness initiatives" has been the main point of contention with parents questioning when the funds raised will be going and how they will help their children.
The IAA is currently in discussion with the HSE about ways of getting "appropriate level of funding for that service and hope to be able to provide it to all the families in question again soon".
