Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will add to that contribution in respect of Deputy Naughten. We also convey our best wishes. The Deputy and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Last week, I was privileged to facilitate a briefing in the audiovisual room from parents and educators associated with the national Therapists in Special Schools Alliance. There was a very encouraging level of cross-party attendance. That was very welcome because I, for one, have absolutely no interest in seeing this issue used as a political football. Everybody, those of all parties and none, must work together to rectify this matter. I accept that many people, including the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, are acting in good faith but the fact remains that the special schools system has been forced to offer care and education in a state of near-permanent crisis for many years now. My sole interest is in identifying possible solutions and moving forward so that these special and beautiful children are no longer subjected to ongoing and highly distressing levels of regression and deterioration. At last week's briefing, we heard the heartbreaking stories of many people, including parents. They were saying that their children had been forced into residential care because the supports were not there. That is a national scandal. We have to do better.

I am aware that the HSE chief executive, Mr. Bernard Gloster, has written to parents and schools in my constituency regarding the ongoing work in progressing the disabilities roadmap and national policy. I am also aware that a communication was issued to each CHO area last February, confirming that additional therapy capacity available in other organisations could be commissioned to provide supports to children and families under the governance of the CDNTs. This included provision for children in special schools. This followed on from an initiative in Wexford where the local HSE used time-related savings from vacant CDNT posts to commission private therapy hours for a specific special school. However, as one parent put it to me, despite this communication from the HSE over eight months ago, children are still being left to deteriorate without vital therapeutic supports. In addition, essential therapeutic equipment is also lying idle for years because staff have not been trained to use it.

It is clear that something is very broken in this whole system. We need to look at solutions. The regional executive officer for the southern region made the correct decision to fund private sector therapy in St. Killian's special school in Cork for one term. This has to be done. Other REOs need to be able to make that same decision in order to help the special schools.

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