Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have just been sent an email from Scoil Bhríde Shelagh, which is in north Louth. It states its main worry is that while it has had an additional school accommodation application submitted to the planning and building unit of the Department of Education since October 2023, this was put on hold after the sanctioning of its two autism classes because the Department had pulled the provision of modular buildings for the 2024-25 year. The school states that a second autism class has been sanctioned for it, and it is anxious to have the accommodation for that class provided, given the huge need in the locality. One can imagine how the letter continues. The fact that the second class has been sanctioned means it needs to be provided. There needs to be communication. There is a major issue with the schools building programme. If we could have that addressed, we could at least provide added resources to those with disabilities and autism in the part of my constituency in question. I would really appreciate that.

Members have already spoken about the issues that exist concerning matters from assessments right through to therapies and what children and their families cannot get. The Ministers of State present and I have spoken about the school inclusion model and the absolute necessity to offer services and therapies where needed. While we may need bespoke medical solutions for other children, these could deal with another lot.

We have all talked about assistive technologies. I am aware there has sometimes been a hold-up on the part of the HSE on these. Whether we are talking about the rapid prompting method or augmentative and alternative communication devices, we need to see it.

I sent the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, a message on a child development clinic that refers to the idea of kinesiologists and advance services. It is almost like occupational therapy and speech and language therapy on steroids in that they have a huge impact on children. These are the sorts of things we really need to consider.

I have spoken before about my Education (Amendment) Bill and the idea that schools with children with disabilities would have a two-year run-in in order that they would be able to get all their ducks in a row and ensure services for the children. We know we need to get the best bang for our buck for our children. We know that even if we improve workforce planning from here on in, it will take four or five years before we have all the OTs, SLTs and psychologists in place. Therefore, we need to ensure we have a better service and can get the best service as we strive to fill all the absolutely necessary positions. We have been talking about this forever. What we really need to see is delivery for families.

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