Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State is aware, parents slept outside the gates of Leinster House last week demanding the most basic of human rights, that is, a school place for their child. I met them. I do not know whether the Minister of State got the opportunity to do so but if he did, he would have heard horror stories of children being left behind by the Government and a failed system. I was particularly disturbed to hear from areas where interim schools were established many years ago on the promise of a permanent school that has yet to come, resulting in inadequate capacity in sometimes unsuitable premises. That will not be tolerated in Monaghan, just as it should not be tolerated or accepted anywhere. The fight to deliver this school went on for far too long already.

There will be 18 places in September, which I acknowledge is 18 more than last year. That is very welcome. We need the plans for the permanent school to start right now, however. We need the Minister of State to promise – and I have to say this again - that every child who needs a place in the special school in Monaghan will actually get one. I urge the Minister of State to bring himself to a position where he can make that promise as soon as possible.

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