Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ná déanaimis dearmad go bhfuil muid ag caint ar pháistí atá ar an imeall. Caithfimid an rud ceart a dhéanamh dóibh.

Politics has failed children with special needs throughout the country. As an elected representative, I am ashamed that we are at this point. The opening line of this motion states: "...parents of children with special needs are facing considerable difficulties in securing school places for their children." I would go much further than this. As I address the motion, there are families all over the country in despair. They are at their wits’ end. It is scandalous and unacceptable and this Government has been fully aware of this for a long time. Dublin and Cork have been specifically mentioned in this motion, which is understandable given the population pressures in both areas. I stress, however, that we are experiencing a national crisis in the provision of education for children with special needs. The situation in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan is no less concerning for the children, parents, and families involved.

More than 12 months ago, I wrote to the previous Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, regarding the expulsion of an eight year old child from a school in the midlands due to behavioural issues that were directly related to a lack of therapeutic supports available within that school. Some 12 months later, I again wrote a letter on behalf of the same child who is still without a school place and whose parents - like so many other parents - are at their wits' end.

In my constituency a similar case was highlighted to me recently where two children within the same family, and both with special needs, have no school place and their parents simply do not know where to turn for support. I wish to reinforce this point. The issue of the lack of special school places is not specific to Dublin and Cork. It includes cities, towns and villages across rural Ireland. It demands immediate and critical redress.

The current framework that parents are requested to follow when seeking a special school place is not working and it has to change. SENOs cannot find school places for children if there is simply no capacity within schools currently. The Government does not seem to understand that the only way to address demand is to build capacity by investing. This is the case whether it be in housing, in health or for home supports. All of these social crises demand address and this is not happening, as it must.

Access to education is a human right. That the Government stands over the denial of our most vulnerable children accessing their academic, social and cognitive development, is reprehensible should be a matter of deep shame.

I have referred to the fact that the Government has been aware of this disturbing matter for a long time. Last April, on World Autism Day, Sinn Féin brought forward a framework to take politics out of this issue. Five months ago, we proposed and succeeded in getting agreement from this House to establish an all-party committee on autism tasked with developing an autism empowerment strategy within six months. The Minister's party acceded to that request. Provision of education was a major anchor of that motion and perhaps if steps had been taken back then, and if that motion and decision had been acted upon, we might not be looking at a situation as bad as it is today.

I appeal, in the strongest terms possible, to the Minister to please let us establish this committee with immediate priority. Please let us all in this House take ownership and responsibility for providing our vulnerable children with the best possible prospects for their development, and please let us stop this disgraceful situation together. I ask the Minister to let us start working together. What is so undoable about working together in this House in the interests of those who deserve it most?

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