Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Like others, I welcome the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004. I commend the Department of Education and Youth on undertaking that critical work. Although many positives have been reported, the findings of the review confirm what some families, educators and advocates have long felt. We still need to work harder on delivering inclusive, equitable education for children with special educational needs, particularly those with Down's syndrome, general learning disabilities, and speech and language disorders. The review also reflects the voices of over 28,000 individuals and organisations. Among the most urgent concerns raised were access to timely assessments, the inadequacy of current placement options, insufficient transitioning planning and glaring gaps in class provision. These realities are acutely felt across east Galway.

One of the most pressing issues is the lack of balance in the allocation of special classes. In 2024, 92% of all new classes were designated for children with autism. While that provision in vital, the limited availability of classes for children with other needs, especially those with speech and language disorders, raises concerns about equality and inclusion. The review underscores the need for a system that reflects the full spectrum of needs in our schools. Circular 0038/2007, which governs access to speech and language disorder classes, remains unfit for purpose and continues to exclude children with learning and physical disabilities from accessing vital therapies and supports. The lack of post-primary planning, the refusal by some schools to accept students with special educational needs, and the overreliance on special schools, many of which have now reached capacity, have left countless families without realistic and fair options. The failure to accommodate children with co-occurring or physical disability contradicts both best practice and the commitments of Ireland made under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Families have shared their anxiety about the transition from primary to post-primary schools. That is critical. Too often, this process is marked with uncertainty and a lack of clear planning. The review calls for better transition pathways, which I support. Every child deserves the right to move through the educational system with stability, dignity and the right supports in place.

The shortage of general learning disability classes is another key issue. In Galway, for example, there are currently 152 special classes for autism. There are just two for children with mild learning disabilities and 13 for children with moderate learning disabilities. These figures highlight a need for a rebalancing of provision to ensure that no child is left behind due to the nature of his or her diagnosis.

I welcome the review, the emphasis on rights-based and inclusive education and its call for policy and legislative reform. It is critical that the work be matched by action. I encourage the Department to continue listening to the voices of people like myself, some professionals and young people themselves. With thoughtful collaboration and shared commitment, we can build an inclusive educational system that meets the needs of all learners. The challenges are great, of course, but I am asking that we rise to that challenge.

I commend the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, on their relentless energy and efforts in that regard.

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