A woman whose son was invited to a launch of the children's disability services scheme in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, last year has said she is very disappointed that the money was not even there to be allocated.
Denise McGahern, whose son Jack attended the launch, said they had hoped the funding would be a big help, but instead they were used as props for ministerial announcement.
It comes after the Dáil heard that not one cent has been paid out from a grant scheme announced by the Government amid much fanfare in October 2023 to fund vital services for children with extra needs.
The Disability Services Grant was set up to fund essential therapies for children across the country but 17 months later the money has never been released.
Ms McGahern said: "Speaking for all children, we actually thought this money would be a great help to us.
"I was so disappointed to hear then that the money had not been allocated, and wasn't even there to be allocated."
The revelation was described by Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty yesterday as cruel and scandalous.
Mr Doherty said that two days before the local elections then minister of state for disabilities Anne Rabbitte and then minister for agriculture Charlie McConalogue made a funding announcement in which they said it would be "game changing" for children's disability services.
"How could a minister announce funding to organisations where the money did not exist?" he asked the Tánaiste.
The Tánaiste responded by saying the money should have been released and he will make sure this happens quickly.
Simon Harris said he regrets this has gone on for so long and around €8 million in funding will now be made available.
"I am not going to stand up and defend something that can't be defended," he said.
