Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. We will know the school is working well and has the therapists when I do not hear from it. Principals and parents do not contact me when they have the proper resources. These parents, principals and teachers now have to be not only OTs and speech and language therapists, but also advocates. That should not be the case. They need to concentrate on the kids in the class. We need to know if there is a plan for our CDNT in Crumlin. There is a huge shortfall. It is not just missing it by 50%. We are at 2.5 hours when it should be 35 hours. Something has gone dramatically wrong. Will the Minister of State look into why there is a huge disparity? Why is this school being left behind while other schools have their therapists back? It is a new school but that should not disbar it from having therapists.

I implore the Minister of State to do something for this school. It is not right to send a kid to a school who does not have the support. These are not just any children but amazing kids with complex needs. It is heartbreaking. I hate using the term “half-assed” but we have a beautiful school and do not follow through with the therapists. It beggars belief and is infuriating. The Minister of State has to do something for this school.