Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish the school in Clontibret and educators beyond that all the very best in Monaghan, but Deputy Carthy brought me to meet these families. They are who we met and they could recite the stats just as well as the Minister, maybe even better than her. They are still left with the reality that there is no special school in Monaghan. The special classrooms have their place and are extremely valuable. Investment in them is important. I acknowledge that. It is not the whole story, however. That is precisely the point that these parents have made.

When they advance their need for a special school, the Minister shouts back at them about special classrooms. That is not what is needed. They need a special school. Monaghan does not have one. They told me about Navan and other locations where special schools have been opened. Do not get me wrong. Nobody begrudges these areas those schools. All of that capacity is needed but Monaghan does not have a special school.

The Minister says a review is under way that will report back in late autumn. It is 9 October so I do not know what late autumn means to her. What I want is a commitment from her as Minister, a member of this Government and, to be blunt, a constituency TD that Monaghan will have its special school with no more hiding or delays behind reviews - just a simple commitment. The parents have done the work on demand. The Minister knows this. I am sure she has seen their surveys. They have even done the work for the Department as well, so well done them.

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