Support FASD Ireland, People living with FASD and their Parents and Carers.

FASD is widely understood to be Ireland’s most prevalent neurodevelopmental disability, yet awareness, diagnosis pathways, and supports remain inconsistent and, in many cases, inaccessible. This has profound implications not only for individuals living with FASD, but also for their families, as well as for services across health, education, justice, and social care.


A presentation on FASD will take place in the AV Room at Leinster House on 10th June 2026 at 16:30, hosted by Deputy Marie Sherlock. We would like you to invite your local TD to hear directly from those working in the field and to better understand the scale and impact of FASD in Ireland.


This event comes at a particularly critical time. Funding for FASD Ireland has been reduced dramatically - from €200,000 per annum in 2024/2025 to just €27,500 for 2026 by the HSE and the Department of Children, Disability and Youth. This reduction is deeply concerning, especially when considered against the estimated requirement of approximately €500,000 per year to deliver a basic level of services necessary to meet current demand.


Such a funding gap risks further marginalising an already underserved population and undermines efforts to build awareness, provide support, and prevent future cases through effective public health messaging.


We believe there is a real opportunity for leadership here - to ensure that FASD is recognised, understood, and appropriately addressed at a national level. Your TD's engagement could play a key role in bringing this issue into the wider public and political discourse.


Please use the attached draft letter to edit your personal details and send it to your local TD (You can find your local TD here: www.findmytd.com 

If you are unable to download the letter you can copy or copy and paste the wording below. Please remember to update the areas to include your own personal details.


[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Date]


[Deputy’s Name]
Dáil Éireann
Leinster House
Kildare Street
Dublin D02 A272

Dear Deputy [Surname],


I am writing to you as a constituent to ask for your support in helping to initiate and lead a national conversation on Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), an issue that continues to affect thousands of individuals and families across Ireland, yet remains significantly under-recognised and under-resourced.


FASD is widely understood to be Ireland’s most prevalent neurodevelopmental disability, yet awareness, diagnosis pathways, and supports remain inconsistent and, in many cases, inaccessible. This has profound implications not only for individuals living with FASD, but also for their families, as well as for services across health, education, justice, and social care.


I would like to draw your attention to an important upcoming event that presents an opportunity to engage with this issue in a meaningful way. A presentation on FASD will take place in the AV Room at Leinster House on 10th June 2026 at 16:30, hosted by Deputy Marie Sherlock. I would greatly appreciate if you could attend this event on my behalf, to hear directly from those working in the field and to better understand the scale and impact of FASD in Ireland.


This event comes at a particularly critical time. Funding for FASD Ireland has been reduced dramatically - from €200,000 per annum in 2024/2025 to just €27,500 for 2026 by the HSE and the Department of Children, Disability and Youth. This reduction is deeply concerning, especially when considered against the estimated requirement of approximately €500,000 per year to deliver a basic level of services necessary to meet current demand.


Such a funding gap risks further marginalising an already underserved population and undermines efforts to build awareness, provide support, and prevent future cases through effective public health messaging.


As my elected representative, I am asking you to:


  • Attend the presentation on 10th June in Leinster House
  • Engage with colleagues across parties to raise awareness of FASD
  • Advocate for a coordinated, cross-departmental response to FASD
  • Seek clarity from the HSE and relevant Departments regarding the rationale for the funding cuts
  • Support efforts to secure sustainable and adequate funding for FASD Ireland


I believe there is a real opportunity for leadership here - to ensure that FASD is recognised, understood, and appropriately addressed at a national level. Your engagement could play a key role in bringing this issue into the wider public and political discourse.


Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome any update on actions you may take in relation to this matter.


Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]