Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis na Teachtaí Dála go léir a thug tacaíocht don rún seo. Tá súil agam go lonraíonn sé seo solas ar an bhfadhb an-ghéar atá againn maidir leis an tseirbhís shíceolaíoch atá againn agus na tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil do pháistí sna scoileanna.

We do not come into the Dáil with preconceived knowledge of all the areas that will end up being within our areas of expertise as legislators. This issue first came to my attention in a particularly sharp way when early in my Dáil term the parent of a 15-year old child who could not obtain an educational assessment came to my office in Kells. This is a child who is well through the education system and has needs that are developing and changing but who cannot gain access. The parent was at her wits' end. All of the parents we are meeting in our clinics - presumably they are also going to the clinics of Fine Gael Members - are at their wits' end. Their children are suffering and if we do not speak out on this issue, try to make a difference and the Government does not deliver, we will be letting the children down and doing the State a disservice. As I said, this is about upholding and delivering on the constitutional rights of children if we are to have a fair and equal society.

Many other issues which have not been addressed in this debate will, of course, be brought forward in the future. Extending the NEPS to cover preschool education would be a really positive development, something which many within the sector support. The way we deal with home tutors at preschool level is scandalous. I intend to address that issue further with the Minister and it is with the Department of Education and Skills. It affects a child at the very start of his or her education.

There is an issue with how we treat children who have left secondary school and for whom there is nothing available at third level. Again, parents are at their wits' end because nothing is being provided and they have to do it for themselves.

As colleagues said, it is all very well for Ministers to quote the spending figures. As a party, we were rightly criticised for doing this ten years ago. People did not want to hear it and that is a lesson we learned. They want delivery on the ground. They want action and support. They want the Constitution to be put into practice in how we spend the people's money to deliver services. That is our role. We look at the Constitution and the laws and remember that we are a society of individual citizens, all of whom have a role to play and a contribution to make and all of whom have to be looked after. We will not begrudge people who do well and get to the top of the ladder, but if somebody is struggling to get up the ladder, as a society, we should and certainly we in Fianna Fáil will ensure we will give them every support. We see it as our duty to do this and highlight injustices.

The recruitment process for the NEPS must be expedited. The Minister must intervene, not in individual appointments but in the process. He should tell the Public Appointments Service to get its act together and have people employed. They are willing to work. Panels have been constituted and suitable psychologists found, but they have not been employed and children continue to suffer.

There is a need for more clarity on the circular, the appeals process, how we deal with complex needs in schools and what is to happen in second level ASD classes. These issues must be addressed urgently if we are to do right by all citizens.

8 o’clock

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Baill go léir arís. Tá áthas orm an rún seo a chur faoi bhráid na Dála. Tá súil agam go rithfidh an rún agus go ndéanfaimid difríocht do na páistí agus na saoránaigh seo a bhfuil díth speisialta orthu.

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