James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On this very important debate on special educational needs, I will begin by thanking special needs assistants, SENOs, teachers, principals and boards of management for the great work they do for children with disabilities in very difficult circumstances. Every year, many parents of children with special needs meet difficulties in securing the school places they need for their children. In County Wexford there are lengthy waiting lists for special needs education. This compounds an already very stressful situation for parents. Our Lady of Fatima national school in Wexford provides an outstanding service but is constantly oversubscribed. Its principal, Rita Waters, does a fantastic job under difficult circumstances. Recently, a building dating from 2008 that was next door to the school was flattened to become a car park. The HSE would not hand it over. It was a total waste of State money by the Government. St Patrick's special school is finally being built, under the guidance of the school principal, Lee Rogers, but it is more than two years behind schedule.

There are no official figures on the number of children with special needs who do not have an appropriate place but if the number of parents coming to me every week in my constituency office is anything to go by it is significant. The lack of special educational needs places and delays in diagnosis lead to great concern among parents as to whether their children will get the places they need.

I acknowledge the work of parents for children with disabilities. My sister has spina bifida hydrocephalus and my goddaughter has Down's syndrome. I am very aware of the particular circumstances and challenges faced. No child should experience a delay to the start of the school year because of administrative issues. There is a fundamental failure on the part of the Government and the Minister for Education and Skills to provide the necessary places for children with special needs. Why are children with special needs not being prioritised? Why are they being left behind? Why must parents fight constantly to get basic services?

See this speech in context