Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá lán-fáilte chuig na figiúirí agus na huimhreacha sin a thug an tAire Stáit dúinn ach is iad na focal is tábhachtaí ná "they are provided" agus "they are sanctioned". It is important these are actually open. As a former primary school teacher of nearly 20 years, with at least eight of those in special education, and now as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on special education, I am deeply concerned for the many families in Ireland who are struggling to secure appropriate school places for their children. Last week alone, I was contacted by six different families in south Kildare desperate because they have been unable to secure an appropriate place for their children in a special class or school. These are not isolated incidents. Parents from across the State have been campaigning relentlessly for years and there is still no sufficient action from the Department. This failure of Government year on year left parents with no alternative last week, as many took to the streets to sleep rough for the second time in the hopes the voices of their neglected children would be heard. While the numbers of new special classes and schools being planned for September are welcome, we need a commitment today not only that there will be places but that they will actually be opened.

See this speech in context