Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, although I would have liked a more reassuring response. The Children's Ombudsman is overwhelmed. I have spoken with him at length about this issue. He is considering what to do next. I reiterate that nobody should tolerate any child not having a place in a school, let alone a child with extra needs. It is as if the child is a burden on the system. The partial schooling being offered throughout the country is illegal. It goes against the law of the land. The assessment the NCSE is going to carry out is long overdue. When is that going to happen? When will an uplifting, embracing and worthwhile announcement about what will be done be made? We will listen to the likes of the parents who are in the Chamber today. They are loud, they will speak boldly, and they will not stop. This movement has commenced. It is the next thing we need to blow out of the water and lift the lid on. We need to ensure suitable education for our children. We will get everybody involved, including the Children's Ombudsman who has indicated that he is frustrated by the number of cases. There are solicitors in Cork who are prepared to take cases in respect of the waiting list for assessments of need. We could go on and on. Disability and, in this instance, autism are being left out in the cold. It will happen no longer.