Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he hoped there would be an early resolution of the controversy surrounding the Meath couple whose four autistic children are in health board care.
"I hope the plan to deal with the particular needs of the family in the sensitive case in question will, if it not already worked out, be worked out in the next few days," said Mr Ahern. "We are all concerned to see the case dealt with."
The Taoiseach was responding to CaoimhghíÓ Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) who said the parents of children with special needs, especially children with autism, were deeply disturbed and distressed by the plight of the family making headlines recently.
"It seems that last weekend the Health Service Executive took the children from the family in question because the family had clearly indicated to the media that it was finding it difficult to cope in the absence of State support and resourcing," he added.
He said many thousands of families throughout the State were afraid to highlight openly the difficulties they were wrestling with.
"I am sure they have contacted deputies from all sides of the House to express their fears," he added.
"The Taoiseach should not doubt that this is a serious matter. The parents of children with special needs are struggling to cope because they are facing the difficulties and challenges encountered by the family I mentioned, which is now facing a terrible vista."
He claimed that there had not been any substantial change since the publication, in October 2001, of the report of the task force on autism, which had claimed the State was "critically unable to meet the needs of children with autistic spectrum disorders in Ireland".
Mr Ahern said he acknowledged the difficulties faced by the family. "I know it is an extraordinarily complex family situation with which to deal," he added. "It was discussed by my colleagues yesterday at the Cabinet meeting, and I have been briefed on the issues."
He added that any case involving children was distressing to everybody involved.
