Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)

Ó toghadh mé, tá mé tar éis labhairt leis na scórtha teaghlach, teaghlaigh a bhfuil iachall orthu troid lá i ndiaidh lae ar son an rud is bunúsaí atá de dhíth orthu, oideachas ceart dá páistí. Parents are sick and tired of fighting. They are carers and workers, often raising other children too, and they are forced to become part-time activists and policy experts on top of that, just to secure the supports their children need. Is é seo an tríú seachtain ar ais ar scoil agus fós, fud fad an Stáit, tá páistí a bhfuil riachtanais bhreise acu ina suí sa bhaile fad is atá a gcuid deartháireacha agus deirfiúracha ar scoil sa seomra ranga. Tá oideachas cuí diúltaithe dóibh de bharr oibreacha a bheith curtha siar agus easpa áiteanna speisialta go háitiúil.

The Minister reneged on a promise to tell the House precisely how many children have no choice but to stay at home. Being offered a place in an as yet non-existent classroom does not count as a proper place. Sadly, at this stage, families are all too familiar with the reality of delay, distraction and indifference. Is cinnte gurb é cur chuige easnamhach an Rialtais cúis leis an bpraiseach ina bhfuil muid faoi láthair. We know the Department is refusing to sanction places where there is a clear demand. In County Kildare, there is a distinct under-provision of mild and moderate special classes, disproportionately affecting children with disabilities like Down's syndrome.

Effectively, we have a tiered system in operation, with some disabilities privileged over others. Families are constantly having to choose between bad or worse. One family in Kildare are choosing between a 120 km round-trip commute to a special class in Meath or an 80 km commute to Dublin, which is closer to their appointments. What the family want is for Caoimhe to go to school in her community.

Labhair mé le han-chuid príomhoidí atá faoi bhrú ón Roinn spásanna neamhoiriúnacha a thiontú ina seomraí ranga. I am aware of many SENOs blocking special class placements recommended by educational psychologists. In all these cases, schools and families are wrangling with a system that is meant to help. Instead, it gatekeeps essential supports at every corner. Sinn Féin will not stand by while children with additional needs are treated as less than.

We will fight with families until they are cherished and counted as much as every other child in this State.

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