Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and thank her for her work in the role so far. I know that she is passionate about it and making significant improvements. I have to express my annoyance, which is probably an understatement, at the situation over the last four weeks. Unfortunately, the voice of the unions was louder than the voice of those in our community who are vulnerable. We have a responsibility to parents and to children, the vast majority of whom are regressing and losing previously developed skills.We must recognise the strain the closures have placed on the families, guardians and carers of children with additional needs every day. I will quote a letter I got from a parent. I quoted it last week. It says "I hold you accountable for his blocked access to his constitutional right for education." I welcome the agreement reached last week which the Minister of State explained in her introduction but it is not enough. Asking parents to send their children to school on a day on, day off or week on, week off basis is not good enough. I do, however, know that her hands are tied in this regard. Children with special needs need structure and consistency. I speak as a parent. The unions who represent the essential workers, the teachers and special needs assistants, have a responsibility to make sure that our support for children with special needs returns in full. I ask my colleagues, especially those in the Labour Party, to pass on that message. The unions have a responsibility to ensure a full return.

A parent I spoke to this morning had a question. What percentage of staff have indicated that they will return to work? Is there a commitment to ensure that substitutes will be available to cover any shortfall in staff? I echo what Senator Byrne said; the children must come first.

I welcome the Minister of State's strong support for the school inclusion model under which students receive occupational therapy and speech and language therapy in the school setting. I fully support this and look forward to seeing it rolled out in my area. I also welcome the strong role the Minister of State has played with regard to the provision of special needs classes and autism spectrum disorder, ASD, units in both primary and post-primary schools. We have a shortage of schools providing such places. In my county, there was recently a case in which there were ten applicants for two available places in a special unit at post-primary level. At present, there are no other available places in the county. Along with my colleague, Councillor Garry Murtagh, I am encouraging more schools to facilitate special classes. I welcome the application by St. Mel's College, Longford, to open a class in September. I am working with the Minister of State's office on that matter. Should it be mandatory for all schools to provide such classes?

I again thank the Minister of State for her commitment and for the work she has done in the Department since she was appointed. I ask for some clarity as to when children in mainstream classes are to return. Clarity on the leaving certificate is also extremely important. I thank the Minister of State for her support.