Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will follow on from Deputy O'Sullivan's questions. I welcome the provision of two special schools in Glanmire and Carrigaline but there is a chronic need for special schools throughout County Cork. I was approached yesterday morning by a board of management that intended to seek the provision of a special school.

At the moment we have a massive challenge in terms of kids coming out of primary school. We also have kids with additional needs and complex medical needs who have nowhere to turn. They are faced with commutes in excess of an hour or an hour and a half. In cases I have been dealing with, parents have said to me that they are willing to do that if they think they can get a place for their kid. The Cabinet subcommittee, the entire Government and this House should be looking at how we can address those chronic shortages in the short term, in addition to the long-term planning that is needed. In view of the data and information that are coming through the school services, the need will become more acute in the future. I would welcome a response specifically about individual kids who face having no educational facility in September 2024. This is a chronic crisis and I ask that the issue would be prioritised because we will be judged on how we look after kids with additional needs.

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