Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It has been reported this week that a survey of primary school principals has revealed they have no faith in the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. Some of the reported concerns include that the vast majority of schools have pupils with additional educational needs who are awaiting diagnosis due to the chronic waiting lists. Over one third of schools had periods when they had no special educational needs organiser, SENO, to assess special needs.

Some 55% of the schools surveyed stated that the additional needs educational profile does not meet the needs of the pupils. The list goes on and on. The Department of Education will say it is investing additional resources but that is not the reality on the ground. In my area in south Tipperary, we have not had a SENO for months. The position is vacant. Why is it, like the last Deputy from the south east said, that we are being neglected all the time? It is just another failure by the Government. Children with additional needs need these supports and they need them early. They need a timely diagnosis and access to help.

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