Every child is entitled to an education and an appropriate school place. Sadly, many children are being denied this right across County Galway and the State. Children are being left in unsuitable places, not having their needs met and being denied equal opportunities and the chance to realise their full potential. I have been contacted by many parents and schools in relation to the urgent need for increased provision of special school places and special classes locally. I welcome the recent announcements of special classes in places like Clarin College in Athenry, Cummer National School, Corrandrum National School and Killeeneen National School, but there is clear demand for additional classes across Galway East. There are a huge number of areas and schools. Every corner of the county needs increased provision. I will give a couple of examples. In Esker National School, a number of children there have applied for a special class place. Having a class in that school would enable them to remain in their locality. The Minister of State visited that school not too long ago. He knows the needs that are there, the pressure they are under and the difference this and any other additional supports that can be forthcoming to that school would make, as was discussed during that visit. In St. Vincent's in Coolarne, there is demand in the local area. The school has the appropriate space and facilities to provide inclusive education. It has been engaging on this for a number of years. I also met with Ability West recently. One of the key issues for it and the families it works with is the provision of special class places and places in special schools. For example, St. Oliver's Special School in Tuam is totally oversubscribed. Many children are not getting the places they need. Again, the Minister of State has been at that school and is aware of the pressure they are under. I also raise the 1 October deadline for letters of eligibility. This has left in limbo hundreds of children who missed that deadline. They cannot be considered for a special class or special school place because they do not have this letter of eligibility from the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. I have come across a situation locally where the child's professionals and his existing school have all stated that his current school place does not meet his complex needs, yet he cannot be considered for an alternative place. I have raised this situation with the Minister of State's office. These kinds of situations are desperately unfair on these children and their families because they are being left in limbo. It needs to be sorted urgently.

Sentiment score: 0.14

There are a number of areas across east Galway, including the ones I mentioned, where there is significant demand and the schools are ready to accommodate those classes. As much as possible, we need to see delivery on the ground. Parents want certainty around what will be available in their local area. As I said, there is huge demand. It is absolutely critical that adequate places are provided. Far too many children are not being provided with the appropriate place for their needs. Again, I urge the Government to resolve the issue of eligibility letters. Our spokesperson, Deputy Darren O'Rourke, has been working on this and raising it tirelessly because parents need certainty for next September. Children should not be locked out of an appropriate school place because of an arbitrary deadline of 1 October. The Minister of State mentioned that further information will be provided on this, but when is the question parents have and are coming to me with. They need certainty on this urgently. For children who are in mainstream schools, it is absolutely vital that appropriate SNA and special education teaching, SET, support is in place. I will give two examples. I recently visited Cahergal National School. In recent years, the number of students has increased from 86 to 124, yet the school's support teaching hours have actually decreased from 38 to 37. All the school staff there work exceptionally hard but they need appropriate teaching hours to be able to properly support their pupils, especially those who need a little extra support. Similarly, Castlehackett National School's recent review of SNA hours was unsuccessful. Again, this is a fantastic school but it is a constant struggle for the teachers and SNAs to support children in the school and meet their needs when they do not receive adequate resources. I ask that these specific cases are looked into also, as well as ensuring we have adequate provision of special class places across the county.

Sentiment score: 0.23