PBP-Solidarity to introduce Dáil Private Members’ Business motion this evening on disability and special needs provision 

People Before Profit-Solidarity say they will this evening propose an important motion in the Dáil calling for urgent action on disability and special needs provision.  

According to the party, the People Before Profit-Solidarity motion calls for a series of important actions by the Government to address the crisis speedily, including the following; 

• implementation of emergency action to provide appropriate school places for all those who need them;  

• action to ensure full staffing of children’s disability network teams and the CAMHS service; 

• implement a comprehensive plan for staff retention across the relevant services addressing, in particular, pay and conditions; 

• double the number of places available in universities for therapeutic courses; 

• action to ensure assessments of need are carried out and recommended supports and therapies are provided within the legally required timeframes;  

• immediate ratification of the optional protocol of the UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.  

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Richard Boyd Barrett said “The Government has completely failed people with disabilities and special education needs.

“Over 10,000 children are waiting for an Assessment of Need and over 100,000 are on waiting lists for essential therapies.

“Only 1,028 out of 3,300 primary schools have autism classes, and only 410 out of 710 post primary schools have autism classes.

“More than 120 children were left without a school place at the beginning of September”.  

“All children have the right to appropriate services and education in their own community.

“It is shocking that the HSE and the Department of Education are failing to meet their legal obligations for disability and special needs provision.

“This is a national scandal and the Government must implement urgent actions to provide appropriate school places and disability services for all those who need them, so that no child is left behind”. 

Parents and campaigners are expected to be in the Dáil gallery for the debate this evening.