Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The response is inadequate. It is simply not good enough that there are 100 children in Dublin alone who do not have a school place for this coming September. This is 30 June, the end of the school year. As I said, we heard yesterday from parents who are very frustrated. In some cases they have had to approach 18 or 25 schools simply to try to get a place for their child and were still unable to do so. Many parents in my constituency, Dublin Bay South, are at the end of their tether trying to secure places. There is a pinch point at every stage - transition to primary school, transition into secondary school and leaving secondary school and going to college or training. At all these points parents have to fight so hard that it becomes a consuming exercise in activism for many of them. They should not have to fight for what should be basic rights for their children and young adults who are simply not getting the recognition and support they require in the State.

We heard yesterday from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, about the strategy she is developing, but it is not to be underpinned by legislation. That is simply not good enough. Will the Tánaiste commit to supporting our Bill and to ensuring there is a legislative basis for the strategy?

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