Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Sinn Féin is determined to work towards a future where all children get to go to school with their siblings and peers. At the moment, this is simply not happening. I spoke with members of the Clondalkin autism support group this morning. They outlined many of the challenges that children with special educational needs face. They informed me of a six-year-old child who will have no school place again this September. One parent has had 35 refusals from 35 different schools in respect of their child. Can the Minister of State imagine the mental anguish that these parents are facing?

There are simply not enough special education places in Dublin Mid-West. There is a lack of places at primary school level that reaches crisis point when a child tries to enter secondary school education. Parents are being failed right across the board when it comes to getting services for their children. The Clondalkin autism support group reports that the community disability network team in its area is only operating at 32% of capacity due to staffing levels. There is no social worker available. Parents report that their children are being passed back and forth between community disability network teams and primary care services without getting the treatment that they deserve.

They report that their children are being failed by CAMHS because children with a dual diagnosis of autism and mental health issues are falling through the cracks. The Families for Reform of CAMHS, which has done Trojan work in this area, reported that 31% of its members have a child who requires work from the CAMHS intellectual disability services but 81% of these do not have access to this.

When it comes to aftercare, there is nothing in Dublin Mid-West. We had one service covering the whole of west Dublin. Twigs was the first assisted after-school service in Ireland. Twigs set a precedent with regard to how children with an ASD diagnosis are cared for, and provide an inclusive space for over 600 children. Some 98% of these 600 children reintegrated into social settings easier after being in Twigs but due to lack of Government supports, Twigs had to close its doors last summer.

Parents are facing massive barriers when it comes to aftercare for children with special educational needs. I want to talk about a ten-year-old boy in my area who is currently being tutored at home. He was excluded from a special school for children with emotional behaviour issues. At the time, he had undiagnosed autism and this school did not meet his neurodiverse needs. He has been tutored at home since November 2023, and his parents feel that he is missing out on socialisation with his peers. His parents have tried to find a school with an ASD class but to no avail. They also report that there is no SENO available in Clondalkin. I am going to send the Minister of State details of this child. I hope she can add her support and that this child will get a special educational needs place.

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