Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

During the Covid pandemic, the health service came together and we used the private sector to very good effect. In this case, the big problem is with the assessments. We do not have enough child psychologists in the public sector. They are in the private sector and we should make a once-off effort to get them to combine and do whatever is necessary to reduce the backlog. There are young children waiting for two or three years for an assessment, which is simply unjust and unfair. It needs to be dealt with forthwith.

There are 100 special schools across Ireland. The reality is that number is failing to meet demand. Similarly, many special needs classes in national schools are also struggling to cater for those who need a place. In terms of providing appropriate education, the special school and special needs classrooms model has proven to be successful. Special needs children get lost in mainstream schools. There is neither the time or the opportunity to nurture their abilities. There is a need for increased access to specialised services offered through special needs education. That is what parents are demanding, what they know is required, and what their children need and deserve.

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