BREAKING: Tipperary activist to spend 50 hours in the cold protesting outside Dáil Éireann

A disability rights campaigner from Tipperary has announced that she will undertake a 50- hour sit-out outside Dáil Éireann from 10am Tuesday December 2 to 12pm Thursday December 4, combining advocacy and fundraising in support of autistic people and their families across Ireland.

While Cara Darmody (15) has previously protested at Leinster House, this challenge is unprecedented as no teenager has ever undertaken such a protest in the middle of the harsh Winter weather conditions, and Cara will brave the winter elements in a powerful show of determination and resilience.

The challenge will see Cara remain outside the Dáil for 50 continuous hours to draw attention to her three key demands from our Government:

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• Deliver timely assessments for every autistic child in Ireland and stop the breaking of the Assessments of Needs law.
• Provide sustainable Government funding for all autism services, including Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI).
• Activate an emergency plan to recruit the therapists needed to bring the waiting lists down, to include international recruitment if necessary.

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In addition to her call for policy change, Cara is inviting the public to donate directly to AADI through her official iDonate campaign page:

To support Cara’s 50 Hours for Change you can visit the following page: iDonate.ie.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Cara Darmody said: “I’m doing this for every autistic person and family still waiting, waiting for assessments, waiting for services, waiting to be treated fairly. I shouldn’t have to do this, but I will. I’ll sit outside for 50 hours in atrocious weather if that’s what it takes to make the Government act, and I’m asking everyone to donate to Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland to help families who need support right now.

“The Government recently credited me with €20million of Government funding towards what they call “Cara’s Fund”, and I’m very grateful for that. But it’s only a drop in the ocean and will not prevent the waiting lists from skyrocketing. They must now move Heaven & Earth to find the therapists needed to bring waiting lists down.

“I’m also doing this ensure that the Government keeps the promises that they made to me. An example of this is that they promised to directly fund autism service dogs, but they haven’t kept that promise. So now I have to fundraise for AADI because they didn’t do what they said they’d do. It’s time for autistic people to see real action, now.”

Cara, who is Ireland’s youngest professional motivational speaker, says “My greatest strength is motivating others to do better, so now I’m returning to Leinster House not to criticise, but to motivate our Government to do better.”

David McCarthy, Head of Fundraising and Communications with Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland, said: “Cara represents the courage and persistence of families all over Ireland. Her stand is about action, both from Government and from the public. Every donation made through Cara’s campaign will go directly to helping AADI place more assistance dogs with
families in need.”

All funds raised will directly support AADI’s training and placement of assistance dogs, helping autistic children gain safety, independence, and confidence.

About AADI

Autism Assistance Dogs Ireland (AADI) is a national charity dedicated to transforming the lives of autistic children and their families. With no Government funding, AADI relies entirely on the generosity of the public and partners to provide and support its life-changing dogs.

For more information on the School Support Dog Programme, visit: www.aadi.ie.