James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is a constitutional right to primary education and education in general. This right was placed in our Constitution in 1937, which was very far-sighted at the time because such a right was not a common then. It is crucial that this right be upheld and vindicated for every child, no matter what his or her personal situation. Some 850 children could not get places last year, including some in my county. For example, one parent's child was placed on a list at two years of age. The child is now four and a half years old and is 17th on the waiting list for a place at one of the schools in my home town. All the places on offer have been taken. The other school in the town is also full. There is a problem. Perhaps there may be spaces available at the other end of the county which could be used to accommodate children. However, this approach would not be suitable where a child wants to remain in his or her local community or in situations where both parents work. It is not appropriate for a child with special needs to be travelling the length of the county. It is neither practical nor right.

That situation is replicated across Wexford, so I cannot understand the NCSE stating that there is no issue in the county. I regularly meet parents who are in a very distressed state. That is before we even get into the financial distress experienced by parents who have to spend a great deal of money to get occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and physiotherapy that they cannot access from the State. Parents are struggling every day and have a constant fight to get the supports they need. There is a real sense of anguish for these people, because they want the best for their children. Those parents know that every year their children are held back means it is going to be harder for them to catch up and live full and fulfilling lives as they get older. I do not get the sense that the Department and the State are taking this issue as seriously as they should. I know the benefits that can accrue to children with special needs because my goddaughter has Down's syndrome. She is in St. Patrick's special school where she is getting wonderful support. When children cannot get places in such schools or access the supports they need, they fall behind and that adds to their distress.

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