Publication of Special Education Act review welcomed in Kildare

The publication of a review pertaining to the Education for Persons with Special Education (EPSEN) Act 2004 has been welcomed by one County Kildare TD.

However, Sinn Féin Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh, who is also her party's spokesperson on Special Education, also warned that "the real test lies now in delivery".

Explaining her view via a lengthy statement, Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said: "The review is a comprehensive document and makes many suggestions to improve the provision of education for children with additional needs in line with a rights-based approach.

"I was glad to see that children’s voices were incorporated deeply and meaningfully in the consultation process."

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She continued: "Substantively, though, there’s not much in the report that we didn't already know. It simply confirmed what I’m hearing day in and day out from my constituents and in the media.

"There is widespread frustration with overall lack of resources and families feel like they are in a constant battle with the system; that’s not good enough."

Sinn Féin Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh. File photograph

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh, who is herself also a former school teacher, further said: "Across the state children with additional needs have difficulties accessing appropriate school places in their locale, assessments, therapies, SNAs, and SET support.

"These perceptions are consistent across the various consultation groups- students, teachers, school leadership and organizations involved in this sector."

ONLINE CONSULTATION

She asserted that there were over 28,000 responses to the online consultation.

The Kildare town-based politician elaborated: "A question regarding the extent to which Ireland’s education system as a whole gives an equal right to education for all children was met with a strikingly negative response, with only around 20per cent (pc) of parents of current and former students agreeing or strongly agreeing, and an even lower 16.7pc positive response from professionals, educators and staff working across the sectors.  

"Over 40pc of parents and 75pc of staff reported that it was difficult or very difficult to access supports and similar percentages felt that the supports did not meet students’ needs.

"Over 70pc of respondents with children in early years settings said that their needs had been identified prior to entry, and sixty percent had experienced difficulties finding a place in an appropriate setting.    

"About 50pc of parents whose children were in mainstream classes in primary or post-primary said that their needs had been identified prior to entry, and 26PC said that they had experienced difficulties in finding a school place.

"Parents of children in special classes and special schools were more than twice as likely to report these challenges."

She added: "A small number of parents who responded had children who were of school age but not currently educated in a school setting. A majority of those would prefer their child to be in school, but no appropriate place is currently available."

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'IT'S TIME FOR DELIVERY'

In response to the "damning" statistics,  responded: "Sinn Féin demands a step-change from the government and a guarantee of dramatically increased resourcing in Budget 2026. We are asking that we give young people the investment they deserve for their future.

"Now it’s time for delivery; time to deliver more specialised school places of all types — smaller class sizes; accessible fit-for-purpose facilities; adequate SNA support; a curriculum that works for everyone, timely assessments of need; proper mental health supports; a school environment free from discrimination; early intervention, in-school therapies; Irish medium education for all who wish to pursue it."

She concluded: "No more delays; the children of today can’t wait any longer. The time for talk is over: let's get this done for every child."

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh's comments come after a separate Kildare representative, Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender, criticised the Department of Education on June 24 last for its alleged "deeply damaging" approach to special schools in Kildare (the Department responded to his comments the following day).

On the same date that Cllr Pender made his comments, Kildare County Council was criticised by Independent Cllr Bill Clear for failing to provide funding for a trampoline for children with special needs attending a school located in Naas.