Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Clarke for bringing this very important issue before the House and for the opportunity to speak on it. I cannot over-stress the panic and worry that parents of children with special needs in my constituency of Kildare South are going through at this time of year, as they try to find an appropriate school place for their child in the coming term. We can imagine how the parent of a child with special needs feels, who knows well how important the school routine is, not only for their child, but also for their whole family. When the summer comes along and that routine suddenly goes out the window, it leaves parents and families without support. This has resulted in children regressing without the supports and inputs schools provide.

Summer provision prevents this disruption, but yet again parents face an uphill battle to try and get their child a place for the summer. This Government has made great play about the increase given in the budget, but that increase is a drop in the ocean. It does not even come close to maintaining the existing level of service, never mind being enough to keep up with the ever-increasing need. These children will be the ones to suffer from the Government reducing the capitation grant by a third to €30. How complex do educational needs have to be before they fit the criteria for special education?

What is needed here is decisive action, that would work to ensure summer provision for these children is not determined by a lottery. No child should have anything determined by a lottery. An immediate reversal of funding cuts to summer provision is needed. The Minister of State should revise the allocation model to include complex needs. Sinn Féin understands the importance of these needs. We know the stresses and struggles parents and children with special needs face daily. They need proper supports now. Children with special needs need help. I urge all in this House to support the motion.

The Minister of State said earlier that four new special schools are being put in place and that one of them will be in Kildare. I sincerely hope one will be in south Kildare. I will finish by raising a point made by the Minister of State. She said:

While the capitation rate in mainstream schools was raised to €45 in 2023, the €30 rate per week for 2024 is in line with the rate for the inclusion programme in previous years and reflects the costs associated with running a programme.

What part of €45 minus €30 is not a reduction of €15? The Minister of State sat here today, as did the Taoiseach, and said the Government did not reduce the capitation rate by €15, but it did.

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