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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Milne family special education supports

Summary

Deputy McDonald challenged any suggestion that schools alone were responsible for the Milne brothers’ difficulties and pressed for more resources so they can access entitled services. The Taoiseach said he had not blamed anyone, insisted schools have a collective duty to accept children with special needs, and said resources would be provided.

I want to return, if I can, to the Milne family - to Ryan and Kyle and their parents, Gillian and Darren - whose circumstances were outlined earlier. Gillian and Darren have struggled for years to secure the appropriate services and school placement for their young boys. In his response to Deputy Bacik, it sounded as though the Taoiseach was laying culpability for this at the feet of schools. I want to challenge that. I accept absolutely that the legislative framework has to ensure inclusion, and not for one moment will I carry the can for any school that would seek to exclude a child. However, there has to be a level of honesty here. There is absolutely an issue around resourcing, also. Furthermore, the courts in this land have found that the Government has broken the law in respect of the Disability Act 2005. The State has not been honourable-----

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

We are over time. The Taoiseach to respond.

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-----in honouring the law in respect of those with disabilities. What is the Government's plan for increased resources in order that Kyle, Ryan and others like them can avail of the services that they are entitled to?

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Catherine Connolly An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Independent

I would ask everyone to comply with the rules, because we are eating into the time of the other Deputies.

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To be fair to Deputy Bacik, she decided to prioritise this issue for Leaders’ Questions. I thought I had dealt with it comprehensively at that point. Deputy McDonald is wrong to put words in my mouth, as she sought to do. I have not apportioned culpability to anybody. However, I stand over what I said earlier. There has to be a collective obligation in terms of accepting children with special needs into all schools. The Minister will be meeting with the Milne family on Thursday. It is not a question of resources. I am clear about that. Resources will be provided. The issue in many respects is expanding the existing special schools, creating new schools and working with other providers to make sure we can create a sufficiency of new places in new schools, which we are going to do.

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