Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There has been a lot of talk during Leaders' Questions about justice and support for people who are vulnerable. I am looking for support for eight young people with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities who are seeking places in a secondary school. They are in an excellent ASD unit in Scoil Na Naomh Uilig. For the past 12 months, with others, including their parents and the principal of the school, I have been seeking appropriate places at second level. It is incredible to think eight to ten years after they started in primary school in a mainstream setting they now have no place to go to. We have been down the road with SENOs and the Department, but absolutely no places have been identified. There was a possibility of places being provided in a local school, but that option is no longer on the table. The children may have to go to Dublin or Carlow in order to attend school. When I raised the issue in December, the Minister said he would get back to me, but I have heard nothing since. On behalf of the children, parents, school and community, something needs to be done. As the children and their parents need help, I ask the Tánaiste to prioritise the issue. Will he ask the Minister to meet me and the parents of the children?

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