Nine-year-old David Cassidy from Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, is mentally handicapped. The eldest of four children, his parents Peter and Nuala say he needs residential care, but they are not hopeful following yesterday's Budget. "It is traumatic to say that you want a residential place for your child. But this is what we need. David has challenging behaviour and during the night he can get up and go in and attack one of his sisters, maybe head-butting her. He has a great nature but this does happen. He is very clever in ways but his abilities do not match his understanding. He has to wear nappies and has trouble with his balance. We do get respite care, about one weekend a month.
"He goes to school during the week at Carmona, in Glenageary. It is a great place run by the John of God Brothers. But soon this will not be suitable anymore and we do not know where to send him. It terrifies us. This is complicated by the fact that he has a lot of health problems and is not robust.
"What we need for David is a 5-day residential set-up for his well being. Unfortunately from what I see of the Budget it is not going to get me what I need - a better place in life for my handicapped child and my other kids. Our situation is difficult but I also know of a lady who is dying in hospital. Her husband is nearly 80 and they have an adult daughter who is mentally handicapped. She is so worried about what will happen to her daughter. Hopefully, she will be helped."