Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It really is inexcusable that in 2024 children in this State cannot easily access special class places when they need to. It is a disgrace that, year on year, parents are left worried sick, stressed and battling - as they do for everything when they have a child who has additional needs - to find a place to send them to school. This really has to end.

Every child that needs a class place should have one in the school they wish to attend. Every school should easily have the means and resources to open and have special classes where the demand and need is there, and not to have this circus every year of parents ringing around schools asking for a place for their son or daughter. We know in many cases that choice is being taken away from parents, and they end up having to travel long distances with their children. I spoke to a mother today who will more than likely have to accept a class place that will mean her son and daughter will be in different schools. It is not fair, it is not right and it is shameful that families are being put in this situation.

I recently wrote to the Minister of State about a specific issue in Monksland in south Roscommon and the fact that in the south Roscommon-Ballinasloe area there are 18 children without class places for September. Parents really are going out of their minds. I often think what it must be like to have to ring around schools in your area - some further away than others - pleading for a place for your child so they can go to school. It is the Minister of State's responsibility to ensure that schools have the resources to open special classes. If they do not, they need to be given those resources. If demand exceeds the places that are there, we need to see the resources and places increased. The Department needs to be proactive. It needs to act at pace, be able to plan and be flexible. When a special class place is needed, it needs to be delivered. We also have to ensure that school principals are not being put in a position where they are worried about receiving a Portakabin as a special class, and they fear they will be left with it instead of getting the school extension that the school needs in order for it to grow. We have to provide that certainty to the school community as well.

This is an issue that we really have to get right. Children who need a special class place should be looking forward to starting school. It should be an exciting time for them and their parents. It is a milestone for anyone's son or daughter to start school. Instead, for a lot of parents, it and the build-up is an absolute nightmare. We need to do more. We need to resource the schools, and ensure that every child who needs a special class place gets a special class place.

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