Government failure leaves children without supports
Government failure leaves children without supports - The Labour Party
Labour’s Education Spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD today demanded urgent political action and leadership from Government to prioritise the needs of hundreds of children failed by the lack of proper planning for special educational needs. Speaking ahead of the new Dáil term, Deputy Kenny said this must be a top priority for Government.
Deputy Kenny said:
“This crisis is one of the Government’s own making. Parents and educators continue to raise significant concerns about the current system of planning for Special Education Needs provision. Schools are put under pressure at short notice to open classes without adequate resourcing, appropriate accommodation, or training for staff, and with minimal specialised support. This go-slow Government needs to get things moving.
“Earlier this year, Government announced 399 new special classes for the 2025/26 school year. While welcome, it is nowhere near enough. Many children will still struggle to secure a place appropriate to their needs in their own community. Parents are left scrambling, schools are left overstretched, and children are left waiting.
“This is about basic equality. Every child deserves the best start in life. That must not depend on where they live or how complex their needs are. Our education system must aspire to provide the right supports in every community.
“There is a real opportunity for Government to make a lasting impact on our education system. Instead, what we see is a lack of urgency, a lack of planning, and a lack of leadership. To end the mistreatment of children with additional needs, Government must properly equip our school communities, provide the supports our society needs, and ensure equality in access to education for all.
“The scale of unmet need is staggering. In December 2024, 14,221 children were overdue an assessment of needs. Nearly 13,000 children are still waiting for initial contact with a Children’s Disability Network Team. Tens of thousands are on primary care wait lists for treatment. This places even more pressure on schools and educators, who are being asked to fill the gap without the resources to do so.
“Labour brought a motion to the Dáil in April this year to demand change. Since then, there has been little no action from Government. This delay has real consequences for real children and their families.
“Government must now make this a priority for the new Dáil term. We need proper planning, adequate resourcing, and full support for children with additional educational needs.”