Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

“To delete all words after ‘services generally;’ and substitute the following:- notes the cruel cuts and unnecessary changes to government policy that make it more difficult for children with special needs to access resources such as Special Needs Assistants and Resource Teachers;
- further notes the unacceptable delays children are faced with when attempting to access NEPS assessments and the general expectation that parents will pay for assessments privately or seek supports from charitable organisations to fund them, leaving children from more disadvantaged backgrounds at further risk of falling behind;
- believes it is not acceptable that children with special needs would go without the appropriate support to see them through their education and that pupils should be allocated Special Needs Assistants and Resource Teaching hours based on educational need alone; and calls on the Government to ensure equality of access to educational and other supports for persons with disabilities within the provision of State services generally based on need so that all persons may fulfil their educational potential.”