Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

This motion highlights real failures in special education, and Independent Ireland says it is long overdue. We agree that too many children have been left without places. That is not just a statistic; it is heartbreak in every community. We have said loudly before that a national plan for special education is needed rather than sticking plasters. We support Labour's call for a centralised system but it must also be kept local. Cork needs and solutions can be different from those in Dublin. Transport for children with special needs is critical and I am glad it is mentioned but there should have been a national guarantee years ago. Let us be clear; we need to put parents and schools at the centre rather than just having the Department in Dublin shuffling papers. Independent Ireland backs lifting the barriers on hiring SNAs. Kids are missing out because of penny-pinching in the system. We say more. We should stop making SNAs jump through hoops. They deserve permanent and respected jobs rather than second-class treatment. The motion speaks of in-school therapies. We back that but we also demand proper investment rather than vague promises.

Independent Ireland is proud to have called for play, art and music therapies to be fully part of every child's school day. We support a full review of special education law. The delay relating to the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act is a national scandal.

Let us remember that no review or paper will fix this without money or manpower.

I am aware of a constituent who has a physical and intellectual disability and despite repeated requests from her family she has had very little input from disability services since 2019. Most recently a particular organisation has not accepted her for a referral for a placement. That organisation has not provided adequate explanations for why it has not accepted her. Several emails have passed between our offices and the organisation seeking clarity. The woman is at home six days a week with her elderly parents. It is terribly distressing. I agree with the push on better training for teachers for special needs but training alone without real world practice is useless. We deem that every new teacher has experience with children with different abilities.

To the Government I would say no more pilot projects. Roll out proper therapists, proper teachers and proper spaces now. I support much of this motion because parents have waited long enough. We will also hold every Minister's feet to the fire. It is about common sense. Every child matters, not next year and not with a consultation, but now.

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