Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The issue I wish to raise is one I raised last week and also in a recent Adjournment debate, but I got no satisfaction. It pertains to two specialist preschools in County Donegal, one in Ballaghderg, just outside Letterkenny, and the other, St. Agnes's, in Donegal town. The direction given by the Minister for Health to local HSE management is that both preschools should close. This will affect children with very severe disabilities. These include children with epilepsy, children who cannot drink fluids and children who need to be closely monitored or need the full-time services of a nurse. They require sensory toys and specialist equipment. These children deserve an opportunity for educational advancement as well.

I received an e-mail from a parent of one of the children. It states that as the child is unable to voice his own opinion, the parent must do it for him. From him she gives the following three lines: "I am disabled but I am here. I am disabled but I want to attend school. I am disabled but I would like to live my life." Why are the Minister for Health and his Department not allowing for those three basic principles in the case of that child and other children at the two schools? Yes, there is a cost. The cost of the two schools in 2012 was €600,000. That is €600,000 for 25 to 30 children who will have short lives, according to the paediatricians at Letterkenny General Hospital, but whose lives should be cherished equally. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Health come to the House today and answer the basic question of why he is directing one of those schools to be closed this September. Parents who tried to enrol their children this week were told the school will not be open in September even though there has been no consultation with the parents.