Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue, which I know is one about which he feels very strongly. He has advocated for Scoil Chormaic in Cashel previously. As I said earlier, we all have the experience, in representing our constituents, of meeting parents who are waiting too long for an assessment of their children's needs and for the therapies they need. We have to do all we can to relieve the pressure. The Taoiseach has established a new Cabinet committee on children, education and disability, which includes the responsible Ministers and Departments. The committee has met on a number of occasions and the issue of disability has been front and centre. At the most recent meeting, there was a focus on the waiting list for assessments of need and how we can increase the use of the private sector to deliver results for families waiting long periods. Private assessments are already taking place and €16.5 million has been set aside for the HSE to procure diagnostic ASD assessments through the private sector. This work is being led by the Taoiseach, working closely with the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Rabbitte and the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. The Minister of State works day and night to do more to support families and she does hold her officials to account. I can assure the Deputy of that because I have seen it first-hand.

Special educational needs is an issue to which the Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Naughton, who sits at the Cabinet table, is totally committed, along with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. They are committed to providing more spaces for children with special needs. Seven special schools and two thirds of all special classes were established by this Government. We will open more special schools this year and capacity in special schools around the country will also be increased, as has happened in recent years. A significant number of new special classes, numbering approximately 400, have been sanctioned for September. Of those, arrangements have been finalised for approximately 300, with the remainder being identified in the coming weeks. That is not to say, as this work continues, that we do not have huge sympathy for families looking to secure a special education place. I am aware of that and know how difficult it is for families. Sometimes special education places in mainstream schools do not meet the needs of the child involved and he or she may need to go to a special school. We are committed to improving those services. Again, I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

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