At its core, education is about providing opportunity and allowing every child to reach their full potential. This is no different for children with special educational needs. Across my constituency in Dublin Bay North there is significant demand for additional special classes in schools. One school in particular, Stapolin Educate Together in Baldoyle, has been working tirelessly to secure approval for an additional special class. I urge the Minister to impress upon the NCSE the very real demand that exists and to recognise the willingness of Stapolin Educate Together to deliver this class. Since being elected to this House, I have had the privilege of visiting schools and meeting with teachers and principals in the constituency. Just yesterday I visited another school. Time and again, I hear the very same story of children with special educational needs being placed in mainstream classrooms that are simply not suited to their needs. The level of stress and anxiety this puts on families is unimaginable. These children need to be in an appropriate classroom with wraparound supports so that they can thrive. I acknowledge the Minister's huge commitment to special education. Last year she visited a number of schools in our community and she heard at first hand the issues from principals, teachers and students alike. We are seeing progress, with more special classes and special schools being established. We need more special classes and more special schools and we need them urgently. The progress that we are seeing is welcome but it must continue and it must match the urgency on the ground.

Sentiment score: 0.41