02/09/2019

Govt Urged To Prioritise Special Needs Education

The Government is facing criticism this week after it emerged that some pupils with special needs have been left without school places.

Education Minister Joe McHugh last week ordered six schools to run special classes and increase provision for children with special needs, however resources for the classes were not allocated.

Fianna Fáil TD John Brassil slammed the Fine Gael Government for allowing the issue to escalate.

"The school term has started and there are children who still don't have a school place," the Kerry TD said.

"The issues go further than that. There are children who have been granted a school place but who have reduced timetables. This is deeply unfair. Each and every child has a right to education to enable them to live a full life and to realise his or her potential. We know that for some, this hasn't been the reality.

"This last-minute attempt by Minister Joe McHugh is deeply disingenuous. Not only has it come too late in the day for many families, he has failed to allocate the resources or training necessary to enable the roll out of these classes.

"Children with special needs are being treated appallingly by this Government, which is more concerned with optics than delivery," Deputy Brassil concluded.



(JG)


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