Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know parents of children with special needs and the children themselves would very much appreciate the Minister of State’s last comment around creating more spaces for our children in our mainstream schools. Is there any way she could give the children and parents a “Yes” or “No” answer? Is it still on the table to open five separate centres for children with special educational needs?

I appreciate the €2 billion that has gone into special educational funding this year. Unfortunately, that means very little to parents who are looking for a place for the children but have not found one yet.Remember, it is now June. I stress the importance of engaging. I know from organisations and individuals I spoke with over the past two weeks, people from the disability sector and people with disabilities do not agree with the segregation of people with disabilities. That never worked. Putting Travellers into schools by themselves in the 1970s and 1980s did not work and it is not going to work for people with disabilities.