Sinn Féin TD Conor D McGuinness has used his maiden Dáil speech to raise the crisis in special education spaces affecting Co. Waterford.
McGuinness said that although capacity issues are not new, this year the situation ‘has reached crisis levels’. He made his comments in the context of twenty children being left without a special school place in Dungarvan.
Speaking in the Dáil McGuinness said:
“Twenty children have been left without a space for the coming academic year in our fantastic local special school, St. John’s, Dungarvan.
“Their families have been left reeling and uncertain how, where or if the right to education of their children will be vindicated.
“This lack of special school places did not happen overnight, but it has now reached crisis point.
“I ask the Minister of State to raise with his colleague, the Minister for Education, the urgent need to increase special school capacity in Dungarvan and west Waterford to ensure all children can access an education appropriate to their needs now and into the future.”
The newly elected Sinn Féin TD has been in touch with many of the families affected, with the National Council on Special Education and with school principals in the area. He has put a slew of parliamentary questions to the Minister of Education on the matter, and has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister and with the junior minister responsible for special education.
Speaking to the Munster Express, McGuinness added:
“This issue is impacting families right across Waterford, South Tipperary and Eat Cork. I will exhaust every avenue open to me to help these families get an appropriate space for their children, so that they can thrive and develop to their fullest potential. Anything less is an injustice. I want to commend the parents for all they have done so far – they are powerful advocates for their sons and daughters.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 