Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)

I will open with the words of Professor Joseph Travers, who wrote about inclusive pedagogy in Ireland in 2023. He says:

Given the exponential growth in special classes and the increase in special schools since Ireland’s ratification of the UNCRPD, a contradiction ... is apparent, which calls for a more radical appraisal of the purpose and role of these classes and schools.

He continues:

... we need to envisage a future where all children can attend their local mainstream schools. This may entail creative responses to the use of space, time, human resources and technology.

While I commend the Minister of State for this work, and thank everyone who has participated in this review, I am not sure we can characterise this appraisal as "radical".

In the best way I can, with the minute I have, I would like to represent the voices of teachers, SNAs, parents, and children I have spoken to, whom I am sure the Minister of State has also spoken to. It is characterised by saying that it always feels like a fight. It always feels like a contest. It feels like parents, children, principals, teachers and SNAs are always scrapping, fighting through bureaucracy and fighting for resources, and that is if they are lucky enough to get a school place in the first instance. I raise with the Minister of State the area of St. Mark's in Newbridge, which is going through that redesignation process. I ask the Minister of State to please reconsider this if he can.

I take issue with some of the recommendations of this report, such as the policy-based one regarding the efficiency and timeliness of the assessment of need review. There does not seem to be accountability in terms of a timeframe. The same applies with regards to a roadmap for the inclusive education system that should be developed. When, how and by whom should it be developed?

This review was very welcome and I commend the Minister of State on doing it, but we need to know what is next. There is an implication that change is coming, but without a roadmap, we do not know what that will look like.

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