I wondered what the Minister would say when she came to the Chamber tonight. I was thinking about this all day. From what she said, I do not believe she has understood the stress, hurt and concern she has caused for families, schools and SNAs. The capitulation of the Government last night, while welcome, comes on the back of a campaign that was organised by SNAs, schools and parents. They should not have to do that. One word was missing from the Minister's speech and that was "sorry". She did not say that. There should be an apology for the mess she caused in the last few weeks and the stress she caused for people who are dealing with some of the most vulnerable cases. Any TD or constituency office will tell her they never have a clinic without somebody coming to them with an issue around additional or special needs, children's school places, supports, SNAs, lack of SNAs, lack of school places, or projects being promised that have not been delivered. It goes on and on. There is never a clinic any of us go to where this issue does not come up. It is a huge issue. I again thank the people who said they were not going to tolerate this and that it would not happen. Some of them are in the Gallery; fair play to them for coming tonight. There were 1,100 or 1,200 people at the Zoom meeting that was on last night. It was very powerful, as some of my colleagues said. They told their stories about their children. As my colleague, Deputy McGettigan said, there was not just sorrow and stress but hope in how kids thrive when they get the proper supports they need. The Minister needs to say sorry to people.

Sentiment score: 0.08