Waterford families stories shared in Dáil Éireann
Twenty children in Dungarvan will be without school places come September. Stock photo.
The stories of families affected by the shortage of special school places in Waterford were shared in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday.
Waterford TDs David Cullinane and Conor McGuiness spoke on behalf of parents, who observed from the public gallery. Deputy Cullinane told the Dáil that one of the parents was refused from 16 different schools.
He said the issue affects between 50 and 60 parents countywide who have done all they can, including contacting schools and linking in with the local SENO.
“We met many of them, and they talked about the strains that all of this is putting on their relationships. Some of them have left their jobs. It has upended their whole life,” said Deputy Cullinane.
Deputy McGuinness shared a story of one of his constituents, Rebecca, who was in the public gallery, and her five-year-old son Jay. He read aloud a statement written by Rebecca, wherein she said her child had a constitutional right to an education.
She said there are 19 other families in the same position in Dungarvan, where she is from, and just one special school, which is at capacity.
“We are not asking for special treatment, we are just asking that our children be treated the same as every other child in the country - entitled to the highest standard of education to suit their needs. I refuse to accept that my child will not walk through the gates of the special school in Dungarvan in September, 2025,” wrote Rebecca.
The Dáil was debating a motion put forward by Sinn Fein to recognise the rights of children to an appropriate education, that demand is growing for special education spaces and that not having a place in school creates “trauma and heartbreak” for their families.
The motion also recognises the failure of the previous governments to provide adequate services for these children and calls on them to address the situation.
Minister for Education Helen McEntee proposed an amendment to replace the entire motion except for the first three words, which were “That Dail Eireann.” She proposed replacing all the wording with the Government noting the right of children to an education and their commitment to providing places.
The Minister’s amendment further noted that the Government had provided funding of €2.9 billion for special education, a 48 per cent increase since 2020, and their efforts to correct the issue.
The amendment called on the Government, to take “any necessary steps to ensure that every child who needs a special educational place has access to one in a timely manner".
The Minister, in support of her amendment, thanked the deputies for the motion and said she recognised the hardship caused to families.
Waterford Minister Mary Butler issued a statement this week saying she had met with both St John’s Special School in Dungarvan and St Martin's Special School in Waterford as well as the Minister for Special Education, Michael Moynihan, John Kearney, CEO of the NCSE and an official representative from the Department of Education.
She described the meetings as "positive" and said she was "satisfied" that all involved understand the situation.
