Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)

It is clear to anyone paying attention that we have a serious capacity issue when it comes to providing school places for children with special needs. Every child is entitled to the best quality education the State can provide, and this means schooling that meets their needs and is based in their own community. Yet parents in my constituency of Clare are having to place their children on buses or face commutes to bring their children to a school - one the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, visited himself - that meets their needs in Ennis.

Some parents simply cannot find places for their children with special needs in their own community or even transport to bring them to those schools. This is a failure for these children and their families. The Education Act 1998 states it is a function of the Minister:

to ensure, subject to the provisions of this Act, that there is made available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs and abilities of that person...

Families are struggling to try to access facilities and services for their children. They too are being let down by the Government. It is shocking that the Minister is unable to state how many children still lack the special education places they require. We are working off estimates showing it is approximately 260 children. However, as the Equality in Education campaign was able to find an additional 168 children, the actual number may even be higher again.

These children get one childhood. As these are their formative years, denying them the chance to thrive to their full potential is scandalous. In many cases, they also have to see their siblings having the opportunity to learn, socialise and thrive that they are denied on the basis that they have special needs the Government is failing to provide for. Alternatively, if given a place, they could be shoved into a cubbyhole. In addition to the urgent need for the Government to provide funding and resources immediately, it must also future-proof the services so we do not end up here again.

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