Albert Dolan: Guarantee school place - speed up special education
Albert Dolan urges immediate investment and reform in special education, calling on the Minister to guarantee school places, fast-track special classes and accelerate assessments. He praises plans for more than 400 special classes but stresses that assessment delays and unmet demand require faster action.
Immediate priorities
Albert Dolan sets out three priorities for special education: a guaranteed school place for every child in the right setting, a fast track for special classes and a substantial speed-up in assessments so supports can be unlocked.
Recent developments praised
Dolan recognises the Department of Education's plan to open over 400 special classes this year and highlights a productive meeting with Róisín and Peggy from Galway Down Syndrome, stressing accessibility for speech and language disorder classes.
Budget and accountability
Speaking after the Department's appearance before the Public Accounts Committee, Dolan welcomes increased funding discussions - including nearly half a billion euros - and explicitly encourages maximising investment in special education as an investment in children and the country's future.
Consequences and next steps
Dolan warns that without faster assessments and more targeted places the supports children need will remain locked. He pledges his ongoing support as a deputy for sustained funding and practical reforms to meet demand across the country.
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Thank you very much and it's something I know I've raised with you as well Minister and Róisín and Peggy from Galway Down Syndrome had a fantastic meeting with you and just to reiterate the issue that exists in that circular regarding the special speech and language disorder classes and having accessibility for everyone to them and you know Minister I'm going to use my two minutes just to talk about I guess not that you aren't aware but just a reminder of just how important the role of education and particularly special education plays and I know the work that you put in and I know how hard you're working to see every child in this country have an opportunity and I we had the Department of Education before the Public Accounts Committee last week where you know I guess we were asking them about why it was the case that there was going to be almost an extra half a billion euros spent trying to ensure that we meet the need that exists and I would encourage you to spend as much money as possible in this domain because this is something that as a country we are not going to regret spending this money. This is something for our children, for our future and something that I will fully support so long as I'm a deputy here. I think there's three key things that I would ask that I think need to be priorities and focuses going forward for special education. A guarantee of a school place for every child and in the right school place in the right setting that is fitting for the child. A fast track for special classes and I will compliment you over 400 special classes set to open this year and many of them right across the country and I think that is so welcome but as you know as I know and as all deputies know we need more. Thirdly then to speed up the assessments, to speed up the rate at which assessments are taking place so that supports can be unlocked and identified for those who need them. If we have not identified the need, if we have not identified what is needed for people there then how can we ensure that they get the support they need. Go raibh maith agat, Caerleon.
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