Government 'sleep walking' into special education crisis - O'Rourke

Parents of children with additional needs feel like they have to constantly fight the system to secure what should be a fundamental right to education, according to Sinn Fein education spokesperson, Darren O'Rourke.

Sinn Fein is bringing forward a Dáil motion this week calling for an urgent and fundamental shift in how the state provides for children with additional educational needs.

“Every week, my office is contacted by parents who cannot secure an appropriate school place for their child, particularly those with additional needs, and feel like they have to constantly fight the system to secure what should be a fundamental right.

“There is a chronic shortage of appropriate school places. Some children are being forced to travel long distances, while others have no other choice but to stay at home due to a lack of an appropriate place for them, a flagrant breach of their constitutional rights.

“We have serious concerns about the redesignation of general learning disability schools, the provision of SNAs, and the concentration of new special classes almost exclusively in ASD provision, with very few new classes catering for children with mild general learning disabilities or language disorders, which require different educational supports and approaches.

“These changes are happening without consultation and without regard for the varying needs of children.

The Government has adopted a cut by stealth approach, they have shown little regard for SNAs, teachers and children in the sector and they are sleepwalking into the worst ever crisis in special education this September."

Deputy O'Rourke said Sinn Fein was calling for an All‑Party Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Inclusive Education to be established – a ‘Sláintecare Committee for Inclusive Education’.

"This would be a forum to hear from parents, students, SNAs, teachers, therapists, school leaders and advocacy groups – with an aim to propose a clear roadmap for a new and better approach to how we provide inclusive education in Ireland.

“We need a new and fairer approach, one that puts the needs of children at the centre. A time bound All-Party Oireachtas Committee would play a very helpful role in informing that."