John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the review. I wish the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, the best in office. I know he is committed to this area and will ensure that change takes place in the best interests of the children and schools concerned.

While the review is being studied, there is no need for a delay or a waiting process. We have to respond immediately to the concerns expressed by parents and others about what they are not receiving for their children in schools. I always find it difficult to understand the reason Departments tend to wait for legislation and then to act. We have children in very difficult circumstances today. Many speakers have recognised their difficulties and the House has said clearly that we want each child to reach his or her full potential.

I ask the Minister of State to look at where the problems are. That is the obvious thing to do. I have raised Jonah Special School in County Kilkenny on a number of occasions. It was promised a new building but because it could not build it in the way the Department wanted, the school was deprived of any form of building or extension. It has a fine site. It is a special school and does fantastic work. The Department is putting the building before the rights of the children who attend the school and those who are waiting to get into it. It is unforgivable that the Department would act like that. The very same Department does not even respond to some of the queries that are put to it. It certainly has not responded to my queries, which I have raised on the floor of the Dáil, and I have now raised a particular query today.

The other issue is transport for children to get to these schools. That should not be put on the long finger. These children should not have to be overly examined. It is obvious that the transport is needed and the child has special needs, yet they are still being asked to wait.

I want to make a special case for foster carers, a group that has not been acknowledged for the work they do. They too look after children with special needs. They should come first and foremost in terms of what is required because foster parents are doing their best. A lot of changes need to be made in that area.

I will also be asking that there are changes to the budget in the context of the support for their needs.

I wish to highlight the case of a child in Kilkenny who does not have a place. The child is non-verbal and needs immediate intervention but nothing is arranged for that child. Another child who needs special support has been told he cannot go to transition year in secondary school. That is appalling.

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