Vincent P Martin (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirleach Gníomhach agus cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire sa Seanad inniu. Scoil Mochua in Celbridge is a thriving primary school going from strength to strength since first opening its doors in 1985. It is the cherished heartbeat of the local community. It is a mainstream school which places huge emphasis on inclusion. It caters for all, including those with additional needs. It is affiliated to the AsIAm pilot project to promote autism-friendly schools. Some of the children with more complex needs may struggle to thrive in a mainstream classroom setting. The correct setting for a child is crucial. Some pupils require a dual enrolment, having a seat in both a mainstream and a special class, when required. For inclusion to work properly and in order for all students to thrive, the prioritised professional input of the State agencies involved must be to the fore. Otherwise, inclusion risks inadvertently becoming exclusion.

Scoil Mochua was delighted to be sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, to provide two special classes. This approval dates back to March 2021. This delight slowly but surely turned into deep frustration. The heroic efforts of the school community have, it seems, been thwarted and the school has been browbeaten into having to endure delay after avoidable delay. Kildare County Council discovered that the land earmarked for building the two classrooms on had not been formally transferred to the council from the original owner. This conveyancing matter was passed to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in order to get the necessary documents stamped to transfer formally the land ownership to the council and then on to the school. Despite countless direct representations from the school and by many public representatives on its behalf, it took around two years, that is, almost 48 months, to stamp one document. We keep hearing talk of a policy of putting children first but it behoves us to give credence to the 1916 Proclamation of cherishing all our children. This ongoing delay is inexcusable. We need the Minister of State's help to look into this matter because some children have been robbed of time they will never get back.

Earlier this month, the school was informed by the local authority that in order for the disposal of these public lands to be made to the school, the next step is for the official registration of the land to take place and that the matter is back with the Chief State Solicitor's office. There is a feeling of déjà vuhere. The toing and froing goes on and on. It is soul-destroying for the 37 resilient staff, ably led by school principal, Catherine Carragher, the three special needs assistants, the two office administration staff, the caretaker and the dedicated board of management. We cannot lose focus here. Most importantly, we are talking about 676 children attending this school and their supportive families. This protracted red tape bureaucracy is unnecessary and unjustified.

I ask the Minister of State to look into this matter. What assurances can we have that this shambolic delay after delay will be brought to an end? Put children first, front and centre and build these two desperately needed classrooms.