Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge Sarah and Darren and the fight they are undertaking for their son, Freddie. They are replicating the battle that so many people and families have had to put up with in recent years. It does not seem a lot to ask that a child would have access to an education.

I acknowledge the Minister of State's new role. It is important and I wish him success. It is important for everyone that he is successful in the role.

I am fearful and do not have a lot of hope at the moment. The families of neurodiverse children and children with special needs have been let down so often. So many children have been let down by the system. It is devastating for them. Families are often outside the gates of Leinster House, pleading for school places for their children. It seems to go on and on. The Government talks a good game but the reality for families is very different.

Senator Clonan said that special needs children should have access to school places with their siblings. That is not an unreasonable request. We would all agree with that proposal but it is not happening. I know that Involve Autism, a local group in Dublin 6, did some research and advocacy. It established that in 2024 and 2025, the cost of transporting a child with special educational needs to school in south Dublin, which comprises Dublin 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18, was €122,000 per day. That was the cost to bus children out of their communities and just in south Dublin. It works out to €610,000 per week to bus children out of south Dublin to schools that are far away from their families and siblings. It works out as €2.5 million per month for buses and taxis to bring children to school. That is insane. It works out as €30 million per year. Why is that money not being spent on classes? The Government has an enormous challenge. It is important that it is successful.