Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Labour Party for bringing this motion forward. As the Minister knows, families in County Monaghan have been campaigning for access to appropriate and adequate education for their children with special educational needs for years. They are entitled to it and should not have to fight for it. They campaign for new and additional classrooms within existing schools and the establishment of a special school. The announcement of an interim school with 18 places is welcome. It is 18 places more than we had previously. This has offered a better quality of life for 18 children who now do not have to travel to County Cavan every day, with return journeys taking upwards of four hours daily. When will the Minister be willing to commit to ensuring that every child in counties Monaghan and Cavan will be able to access an appropriate school place in their own community?

I will also highlight what is often a source of frustration for families, namely where gaps exist in services that are entirely foreseeable. We know the number of students who are due to transition from primary to secondary school every year. We also have an idea of how many will require ongoing support after they complete post-primary education. Families in Cavan and Monaghan whose children use special schools should not have to resume campaigning for day services when primary and secondary school education is completed. We need more planned services in both Cavan and Monaghan. Following representation from families, I appeal to the Minister to adopt a whole-of-life approach to additional needs supports and to plan for each child.

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