Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I thank those in the Gallery who have come here today and who consistently campaign for their children, all our children and all of us with the work they do. I congratulate Greg from Ballymun and his missus, Celine, because they have fought like tigers in Finglas and got their son a place when, up to the last minute, he had not got one. Likewise, to Nicola O'Dea. I do not think she is here today. Nevertheless, we have other amazing people here today, including Hugo and his dad. Hugo has special needs. He asked me on the way in why the unions would not answer his letters. He has written to the trade unions and asked them to help mobilise demonstrations to force this Government to do something about special needs. Fair play to Hugo. Well done. I think he deserves an answer to the question. Why do the unions not answer your letter, indeed?

I want to approach this from a slightly different angle. Conor Reddy, the councillor who led an amazing campaign in Finglas, said to me, "Bríd, this is about planning and delivery". The more I look at it, the more I totally agree with him. I know that the Minister of State's speeches are sometimes written by civil servants. My speeches are written by parliamentary assistants. The speech of the Minister of State who left, Deputy Naughton, was written by a civil servant. I notice she said in her speech, "It makes me proud as an educator to see the progress we have made in schools in the area of special education ... I understand and regret that ... some families and students feel that our system is not working for them." She continued, "It is not fair that families are put in a position of feeling they have to fight for the right to an education for their children." It is not a feeling. It is an absolute reality for hundreds and thousands of parents and children. She says that we are all aware of the increased prevalence of disabilities like autism. It will increase and be more prevalent in the future, so we want to see a plan. Today's contribution from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the previous Minister of State, who has left, does not give us a plan. She said three things that jumped out. One is that there is a recent announcement relating to the provision of therapy services in special schools. The second is that there is a national strategy and action plan for lifelong guidance so that people can make better choices about their education. The third is that there is a comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities. She spoke about the Together Towards Inclusion programme. Great. She does not tell us how the Government is going to clear the waiting list of 10,000 who are waiting for assessments of special needs, how she is going to engage the-----

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