Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

While I welcome any opportunity to engage with the Minister, it is unacceptable, frankly, that it has taken so long for her to appear before the committee. We sought a date before the summer recess, when known issues could have been highlighted before the new school year commenced. We are already several weeks into that term and the situation has worsened in some cases. All present know that timing is key in helping children with special educational needs and disabilities. It is unfortunate that the insights and points this committee has to offer were not prioritised.

In her opening statement, the Minister outlined the amounts being spent and the increase in support, all of which are more than welcome. However, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Irish law are clear on this. Every young person is entitled to an appropriate education but the reality is that many children and young people are being denied that right. The pre-budget submission of this committee, which is based on the contributions of witnesses, families and advocates, highlights the lack of school places, inadequate transitions between primary and secondary schools and insufficient ASD classes and SNA supports.

Cork South-West has no special school and a severe shortage of special classes. The classes that are in place are doing incredible work but they are oversubscribed. Last week, I raised the case of an autistic child who has been moved between different primary schools. The Minister's office and that of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, are aware of this case. His education has been disrupted to suit the needs of the Department rather than it being the other way around. He spent the past year in a non-ASD special class, which has led to his developmental regression. Needless to say, that is not due to any issue with the class; the class is just not suitable. An ASD class is now opening in the town closest to the child - it is closer to him than his current school - but it is already full even though it has not yet opened, so he will not get a place there. His mum asked me how, after eight years in primary education, the Department is not aware of the numbers coming through into second-level education. It does not make sense. There seems to be a complete lack of even basic planning. That is just one example among many. What does the Minister have to say to the parents of that child?

My next question relates to SNA provision. The Minister will be aware that a national school in Ballydehob has had to fundraise to increase its SNA hours. It is just one of many schools in my constituency that have had to take that action. I cannot imagine how many of them there are across the country. It is symptomatic of a significant gap between the identified needs of students and the SNA allocation and resources being assigned by the Minister and the Department. The system of assigning SNAs relies on old information and, in some cases, assessments made many years ago. When I raised this matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, she referred me to the appeal and exceptional review process. That process puts the onus back on overstretched principals and teachers to do the work of the Department. In addition, more than 50% of all exceptional review applications result in the allocation of additional SNA or part-time SNA supports. That obviously illustrates the flawed and ridiculous approach of the Department on this issue.

Finally, the summer programme, formerly known as July provision, is a major concern for the committee. We have called for the Department to develop it as a standard and to ensure that all children who want access to the programme can do so. Parents and principals have outlined their frustration with the process, the delays in announcing it and the poor communication, not to mention the underpaying of SNAs. Ultimately, it is children who suffer as a result of this disorganisation. What is being done to ensure that every school is available for the summer programme? Why is the Minister not announcing the scheme now, before Christmas, to support as many schools as possible participating? I ask the Minister to also address the low rates of remuneration for SNAs.