Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I raise the case of a five-year-old autistic boy with additional needs in my constituency who is attending junior infants. His mother Grainne contacted me recently and their story is revealing of a system that is badly failing children with additional needs. After months of school distress, hours of work with the school, mediation and facilitation, Grainne explained that her child is finally going to school happily and not hugely distressed afterwards. The parents in the school have built this success. He is happy going into school but he cannot stay longer than one hour. After one hour, the child has to leave because the school simply does not have the additional needs resources - the ANA or SET resources - to keep him there longer. His parents, like so many parents of children with additional needs and autism, are just asking for the supports and resources their children need and, as the Taoiseach has acknowledged, have a right to. Why are children with additional needs being denied this education? Can the Taoiseach ensure these children have the resources that enable them to have a full school day, just like all children?

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