Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to start by sharing the experience of a constituent of mine who has travelled from Waterford today, alongside other mams and dads, to be in the Public Gallery as we debate this motion. Her name is Rebecca and she is the mother of Jay, one of 20 children in west Waterford who have been left without a special school space. I raised this previously with the Minister of State and twice in the Chamber in recent weeks. Rather than simply repeating my call for urgent action to add capacity in this area, I want to give voice to the frustration, worry, resilience, determination and hope of these 20 families through Rebecca's words. Rebecca stated:

Jay is a 5 year old preverbal autistic individual. He requires access to his primary school education for September 2025 in a special school setting. In terms of school spaces, it seems Jay is just a number but to us he is everything. He represents all that is good about the world and has a lot to teach those who are willing to take the time to get to know him. Education is a constitutional right and as his voice I am determined to be the person to fight for that for him because that is my job as his mother. Just as it is the government’s responsibility to protect the vulnerable and to ensure this situation we find ourselves in - is remediated with absolute urgency.

Rebecca continued:

There are 19 other families in the same situation in the town of Dungarvan, where there is only one school that can provide an appropriate education for our children. This school is at capacity and has been at capacity for the last few years. Our family have and continue to do everything to ensure our little boy thrives in every aspect of his life. We have created a world around our son that facilitates development, decreases vulnerability and ensures he will become as independent as possible for his future. There seems to be zero expectations for our children and it is just not good enough. We are not asking for special treatment we are just asking that our children are treated the same as every other child in the country - entitled to the highest standard of education to suit their needs. I refuse to accept that my child will not walk through the gates of the special school in Dungarvan in Sept 2025. It is his right. As a parent of a child with additional needs I answer to only one person – he is 5 years old with big blue eyes and no voice - but by God he will be heard.

I ask the Minister not only to add capacity for September, but to meet these parents, as I have asked her before, to hear their stories.

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