Special needs school in Cavan-Monaghan
Deputy Smyth raises the needs of special needs children in Cavan and Monaghan, praising Ministers who met SNAP parents and seeking a dedicated school. The Tánaiste says decisions on a new school take time and will be addressed in detail by the responsible Ministers.
I know it is the last day of term but I am not moving on with this zig and zag. I am simply not doing it. I call Deputy Niamh Smyth.
Comment on this
I wish to raise the matter around the needs of special needs children and young people across Cavan and Monaghan. First, I thank the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, who kindly reached out and met with the parents from Special Needs Active Parents, SNAP, which is a very articulate organisation of parents who represent the needs of their children in County Monaghan. I also thank the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, who kindly came to the constituency and has provided assurances that respite services will indeed be provided into the future.
Today, I wish to raise the absolute need for a special school for the children in County Monaghan. Currently, all these kids in Cavan and Monaghan are attending the Holy Family School. While it is a state-of-the-art facility, it is only one school and it is not enough for it to have the capacity to deal with children in both Cavan and Monaghan. The parents rightly demand their own special school for County Monaghan. I ask the Tánaiste to do whatever it takes and to work with the Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, to deliver that. I also ask the Tánaiste to look at the possibility for day services for these children when they leave school. We currently do not have this in County Monaghan.
To wrap up, can the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, give us some sense as to when the Irish Wheelchair Association in County Cavan will have its in-person service back again?
Comment on this
I appreciate the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, met with SNAP, which is the parent representative body. Obviously, as regard to decisions that are required for a new school, it does not happen overnight, as Deputy Smyth will know. I refer to decisions about the type of school and the range and spectrum of additional needs which would be catered for. All of that must be factored in. I have no doubt the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, will give a detailed response to the need for a new school, as has been articulated by the parents.
The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, met with the Irish Wheelchair Association last Friday. Hopefully, she will be in a position to indicate progress in this regard.