Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

The right to education is a fundamental right for all children. It is enshrined in our Constitution and in international conventions. Many children with additional needs are denied that right today. There are still children awaiting school places for the 2025-26 school year. That is absolutely shameful. There are a further 168 children with allocated school places who cannot take them up because the facilities are not available. There are hundreds more children without appropriate school places who have to travel far away from their own localities and environment. I am aware of children who travel as far as 25 miles from their homes. This is absolutely unacceptable. I am also aware of schools that are ready, willing and able to establish special units but that have been rejected by the Department. Bansha National School in County Tipperary is a case in point. Children pass these schools on a daily basis on their way to designated schools located miles away.

These figures are only the tip of the iceberg. There are many more children awaiting appropriate school places. They are placed in mainstream classes while awaiting special class places or they may be in special classes while awaiting special school places. Even when appropriate school places are allocated, school leaders and parents point to significant difficulties in schools, including in the context of the National Educational Psychological Service, the National Council for Special Education, special educational needs organisers and the allocation of special needs assistants. Furthermore, many families have had to take legal proceedings against the State in the courts in order to secure school places for their children. This heaps huge pressure on families that have had to fight every step of the way for everything for their children.

See this speech in context