Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I know the people in the NCSE work incredibly hard and provide a huge service for a growing number of children. However, forward planning always leaves much to be desired. I have dealt with schools that have made approaches to the NCSE to offer their schools to accommodate special classes. The NCSE has said that there has to be a demand and that it takes a number of years. By the time the class is actually open, the demand far outstrips what is available. I deal with numerous families in County Monaghan who today, in March, do not know whether their child will have a place in a school next September. That is not tolerable and not fair.

In regard to a need for a special school, I appreciate the Minister of State's remarks. She diverged from the written response that was sent to us, which simply repeats the line about reassuring us that all options will be considered. If I heard correctly, she said that the option of a special school in Monaghan is under active consideration. Which is it? Is it under active consideration? Will the Minister of State give an assurance that it will be pursued actively so that we can ensure the children who need this service will get it? My fear is that there will be a big announcement that a special school is coming, but a lengthy period of time will pass before it is actually delivered. That is not what is required. The children who need this special school today need it. They do not need to be promised that another generation will have that facility. I appeal to the Minister of State. I reassure her that I will continue to raise this matter at every opportunity until we have a special school delivered in County Monaghan. I want the Government to work with all representatives in the constituency to ensure we deliver what children with profound disabilities in Monaghan need, what their parents are telling us they need and what everybody who has looked at this objectively says is needed: a special school for County Monaghan to build on the services that are provided by the Holy Family Special School in County Cavan.

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