I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Richmond, for being here to take this Topical Issue. It is one of particular importance to the people of my constituency, particularly young families in the west part of the constituency, Connemara. I will elaborate on that as I go on. One has to recognise in raising this topic the significant investment and expansion in the provision of classes for children with additional needs, this year in particular, but also in the previous academic year - since this Government came into office. It is one thing in the work of this Government we can reflect on with great pride. There have been in the region of 1,000 additional classes for children with additional needs in our mainstream schools since the Government came into office; that is 1,000 additional teachers and potentially 2,000 extra special needs assistants in the system, allowing children with additional needs to attend their local mainstream national school with their peers, as it should be. The Taoiseach said at the outset of this Government that he wanted to provide a step change in the provision of education and services for children and for people with additional needs. The other great measure the Government has taken is in the area of providing therapeutic intervention in special schools, that is, providing special schools with speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. Hopefully, we will see that expanded to the mainstream setting in years to come. For now, unfortunately, that provision is not there, particularly in the area of speech and language. When reflecting on the additional classes provided this year, it would have to be said that we are meeting a significant demand for children with autism. However, in the list of over 500 classes that we provided this year - and I could be wrong - there is one class for children with delayed language disorder. Fortunately enough, it happens to be in my hometown and in my constituency. I know the school involved well. The school management are very appreciative of the effort and have already filled that class. Connemara is in the west of my constituency. It is a significant geographic area. Even if going beyond the county border into west Mayo, there is no class for children with delayed language disorder. That is something we need to look at. A report from 2021 outlined that across the country there were in the region of 60 classes for children with delayed language disorder. They are dispersed and a significant number of them are in urban areas. We need to look beyond that to provision of classes elsewhere. I have a unique request. My interest has been instigated by a family from west Connemara who came to see me. It is not practical for them to bring a child into Galway city to attend the delayed language disorder class. The Department of Education and Youth needs to look at the area between Moycullen and Clifden to see whether it can find a school where it can provide a class for children with delayed language disorder. I have another request, which cannot be neglected either. In south Connemara, which is the Connemara Gaeltacht, Irish is the first language of the community. Delayed language disorder affects children irrespective of the language they speak. I have also been petitioned by parents in south Connemara. They are seeking a class for their children with additional need in the area of language disorder. I appreciate the Minister of State being here. I acknowledge the great investment and expansion the Government is doing in the area of education of children with additional needs but I ask that this request get a fair hearing in the Department.

Sentiment score: 0.07

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I welcome the Minister of State's final comments. I would welcome very much that we would provide the opportunity for the families who are making this very genuine case. He is correct. I have met two families in these circumstances but no doubt there are many more who would benefit from the provision of a class for children who have a challenge with speech and language. I noted in my previous contribution the distance parents will travel to meet the needs of their children. In this review done by the Department's inspectorate in 2021, it was found children travelled up to 45 km to attend a class for children with additional needs. It is difficult for them to maintain contact with their local school during placement. Placement would be generally for two academic years. For a child in national school between the ages of five and 11 or 12, a journey of 45 km every day from Monday to Friday is arduous. They should be able to access adequate education provision much closer to home. I understand we cannot, unfortunately, have such a class in each mainstream school but we need to look at the map and at where in the country there are gaps in the provision of such classes. Can the class be placed appropriately in an area that makes it difficult for nobody and where everybody has a suitable opportunity to attend? The other crucial aspect, and we all know this because the data and the study from the inspectorate show this, is the importance of early intervention and how the outcomes can be enhanced by earlier intervention. This review, undertaken by the Department's inspectorate, highlights that many of the children attending have very positive outcomes and find they can in many instances overcome the language delay. I appreciate the answer. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to bring a delegation to meet the Minister and I certainly will take him up on that.

Sentiment score: 0.18