Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am the Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson for special education and inclusion. I have met with our new Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, a couple of times in the last couple of weeks with regard to our inclusive education policies and the shortage of special class, autism class and special school places for September 2024. Obviously, this is a huge priority for her and is critical for the families who are affected in Dublin 15 and nationally. I feel it would be appropriate to schedule a debate with the Minister at an optimum time for everyone to raise their concerns. It strikes me that we are in May, and schools are finishing up. Secondary schools are finishing up this week and there are children out there who do not know what school they are going to in September. That is incredibly stressful for any family, but particularly for families who require a specific handover of reports or behavioural advice and a transition plan for those children. It is not acceptable that there may be schools in an area that are opening four or five different special classes, autism classes or speech and language therapy classes and then there are schools that do not have any special classes. It is not fair. When we speak to principals who have opened classes, they say it has enriched the culture of the school and yet other schools are holding back and finding excuses. It has to change. Schools have to get the memo; we are building an inclusive education system. Everybody has to get on board. Everybody will benefit from this. We also have to look at our catchments and co-ordination to make sure there is a process that is not parent-led but is system-led, where children can access a place that is close to their school instead of being sent all over Dublin to access places.