Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

It is good that we are having this debate. This issue has been debated many times over the past three and a half years. The motion is comprehensive. It identifies what is good in the system of special needs provision in Ireland and the faults therein. Like other Deputies, during the summer months I was contacted by many parents on this issue. The stress endured by parents in accessing provision for a child with special needs is incomprehensible.

The fact that there is no provision for them when they need it is unforgivable. This has been happening. I do not wish to be completely negative and I note that over the past decade, there have been improvements regarding SNAs and ASD units. I am very familiar with one unit in St. Peter Apostle junior national school in Neilstown, which is a really good unit for which there is over-demand. It is a really good way to allow children with special needs to source education in a mainstream school. As the system seems to be based on postcode or seems to be arbitrary when it comes to ASD units, there is a crisis under way and a need for special needs provision. In one case, children had to wait two and a half years for ASD provision, which is unacceptable in 2019. We must uphold a child's right to an education. It cannot be just about containment. It must be a meaningful education where children can flourish like any other child. They should not be discriminated against because of their needs.

The financial hardship endured by parents sometimes goes under the radar. "Prime Time" exposed not only the stress but the financial blow-back experienced by people with regard to their mortgages and their own relationships when provision was not there. It comes down to the "R" word - resources. I know money is being thrown at this issue but we need more money and resources. This should be seen in the wider context of special needs provision in Ireland. Other Deputies and I have frequently said that under the Disability Act 2005, the Government is breaking its own law. Parents are bringing the Government to the High Court because it is breaching its own legislation, which is incredible. It is happening because of the lack of both assessment of needs and provision of speech and language therapy, psychological assessment and occupational therapy. It is remarkable that this has been allowed to happen in quite a wealthy country. Other individuals have stated that provision is needed but it comes down to resources. Hopefully, the Minister can get the ear of the Minister for Finance and tell him that this situation must be addressed immediately. No child or family should be left behind because every child is the same in this country.

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