Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)

Special education is one area where we can see a lack of action and a chronic lack of supports for children with needs. On the publication of the EPSEN review, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, rightly noted that special education should be inclusive, equitable and, more important, responsive to the needs of all children. Unfortunately, what we have now is a system that is far from being inclusive. It is, unfortunately, discriminatory. It is not in any way equitable. Rather, it is deeply inequitable in its funding and resource allocations. Offaly School of Special Education in my constituency is crying out for new accommodation. It is shameful to see what is happening in that school in terms of the lack of therapy supports for children, including the occupational therapy and speech therapy that children so badly need. What is the point of talking about the review's recommendations here and considering bringing all school-age children under a single piece of legislation if we are not going to listen to Offaly School of Special Education and other special schools around this State that need urgent assistance and need to ensure therapists are in place?

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