Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)

I welcome the parents and campaigners to the Gallery. I have seen these women at the Dáil more than I have seen some TDs. That is how often they are here. They are absolute heroes for campaigning for their kids in this way.

I will mention Dublin 15 because some may be under the illusion that the pilot project in the area has done something magical. It absolutely has not. As has been mentioned, the 12 places that were allocated last September still have not been provided. From talking to people on that task force, I know there is a need for four to six classes immediately. We also need another special school in Dublin West because of the demand from those with autism and complex needs.

Words are losing their meaning with this Government. We hear that places are allocated but these are fictional and never actually materialise, as we see in the case of the 12 children in Danu. The Minister stated that schools are progressing recruitment but the Minister of State knows there a severe shortage of teachers and that it is even harder for special needs schools. The amendment to the motion indicates there are 3,700 special classes. There are that number of schools in the country. In fact, you would need six special classes in most big urban schools rather than one. You would need one for each year. The amendment also states that the Minister of State will issue a section 37A instruction to one school. That is it. After all the hemming and hawing and blaming principals for not opening schools, the Minister of State is only issuing one such instruction.

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