Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State's response is an indication of the level of difficulty we have. He said that the NCSE "is responsible through its network of local special educational needs organisers" for processing applications from primary and post-primary schools for special educational supports, "including the establishment of special classes". In other words, it would appear that the NCSE is responding to demand from schools. There is a significant difference between the demand from a school establishment and the demand that arises because a number of children in a particular area require a service.

The Minister of State went on to say that "special educational needs organisers have been working with local schools on a national basis over the past number of months to plan and establish special classes for children with special educational needs who require such placements for 2014-15". The reality is that if a post-primary school requires space within which to accommodate such classes in the 2014-15 year, it was far too late to start the planning process "over the past number of months". What were the special educational needs organisers doing over the last number of years, when this real demand was growing and could have been quantified?

The Minister of State also said that planning work "is ongoing in some counties" and that "special educational needs organisers continue to liaise and work with schools". If it happening in "some counties", that means it is not happening in other counties. One of the most significant complaints made by parents of children with special educational needs relates to the absolute inconsistency of provision. One's provision depends on where one lives in the country. If one is in County Donegal one might get a service, but if one is in County Leitrim one might not. If one is in County Kildare one might get a service, but if one is in County Laois one might not. Those sorts of circumstances are not good enough in this day and age. I know the Minister of State would not be satisfied with that type of approach.

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