Kildare children with additional needs being 'failed by government' – Kildare TD

A Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South has hit out as hundreds of children with additional needs are still without an appropriate school place.

Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh made her comments today (Monday, September 15) ahead of Sinn Féin’s motion on special education being debated when the Dáil returns on Wednesday.

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said: “It is absolutely appalling that children are still waiting for an adequate school place despite many being promised one. These children are being failed by government.

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“As of Mid-June, there were an estimated 260 children in the state without any offer of an appropriate school place. Minister McEntee has failed to provide the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Youth the exact number of students with additional needs still awaiting an offer for a school place, despite committing to do so. 

“This underscores the approach taken by the Minister to the problem, however, we will not allow these children to be ignored until they are provided with their fundamental right to an education.

According to Deputy Ní Raghallaigh, the ‘Equality in Education’ campaign has identified a further 168 children who have been offered an appropriate school place but cannot take it up due to delays in essential building works.

She added: “It is unacceptable that children with additional needs must watch their siblings get ready for school and have the opportunity to learn and socialise, while they are denied that same opportunity. There should be no difference in treatment for these children.

“This is a serious issue within the education system that could have been prevented. Minister McEntee has failed to strategically invest, plan and deliver appropriate school places and supports for children with additional needs.”

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said the Minister must work swiftly to ensure that there is an adequate amount of SNAs in our classes and that there are enough places for every child with additional needs to have an appropriate school place.

She concluded: “Parents should not have to take legal action in order for their children to have an appropriate school place. Sinn Féin will continue to advocate for these children until the Minister does the right thing, gets to work and provides these children with an appropriate place.”