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TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has said Education Minister Joe McHugh will intervene in the case of the Bolger family who were featured on last night’s RTE Prime Time programme.
Last night, Gillian Bolger and Darren Milne spoke about the struggles they have faced in getting their eight-year-old twins into suitable school.
Twin boys Kyle and Ryan, who both have autism and other health issues, remain at home due to the shortage of school places, according to their parents.
Speaking to RTE’s Prime Time, Gillian said life is a daily challenge for her family, adding that they also face the prospect of losing their home.
The matter was raised in the Dáil today by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said the story showed where the government, through its agencies, “has clearly failed these children and parents”.
“Gillian summed up the feelings of many parents of children with special needs. She asked a question which is asked of many of us. Why are these children not prioritised when it comes to getting into school? Every other kid goes back to school in September. Why is there always a problem for quite a number of children with special needs to get school places in September? They said they had to fight everything, tooth and nail, to secure services for their children,” he said.
Darren, who works with Bus Éireann, told the programme last night that he had to cut down his week due to his children’s health needs.
While they boys were offered a place in one school, their health and progress deteriorated after a few weeks at the school, and the parents took them out.
Because they came out of school, the parents were refused home tuition.
“They had to fight for 12 months to get back home tuition. The father could only work two days a week. Their income went down, their mortgage went into arrears, and the couple is now facing repossession. Their plight sums up the struggle and fighting that so many parents have to go through to get services for children with special needs. Many parents annually face these challenges in securing school places,” added Martin.
The Fianna Fáil leader said it is a denial of the children’s constitutional right to an education.
“In my view, there is a terrible inertia within Government towards this issue, which has been ongoing for quite some time,” he said.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he did not like speaking about individual cases but confirmed that the Minister for Education has committed to examining the particular case of Kyle and Ryan “to see if there is anything more that can be done more quickly for them and their family”.
He said when it comes to special education, there are essentially three options: a place in a special class in a mainstream school; a place in a special school; or home tuition.
“Sometimes those options do not work out and different options have to be tried but those three options are available,” said Varadkar.
The Taoiseach added that children with special educational needs are being prioritised, stating that there has been a huge investment in special education in recent years.
There are 10,000 children now in special classes, he said, adding that is three times as many as there were in 2011. He added there are now 15,000 special needs assistants and 13,000 special teachers.
“Yes, there are plenty of individual cases and plenty of families who are not getting the support they need and deserve. We will continue to work on those cases as best we can,” said Varadkar.
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How much of these monies have been sourced by the Catholic church? Surely an old convent or two should be sold to somewhat make amends. Shatter has requested such funding, yet it appears not a penny has been shared. Why is the tax-payer paying for the sins of the Catholic church?
Because Bertie and his cronies were such good Catholics.
Granted Joseph.
But as my mother says
The rest of the feckers in Leinster house over the year had a mouth on them as well and they said feck all about this travesty.
Imagine some of today’s fine leaders used to drive by slave camps everyday on their way into the Dail and think nothing wrong of it.
The Magdelane Laundry closed in 1996.
The “last” Magdelane Laundry closed in 1996.
Anyway.
As recent events have illustrated, Ireland’s fine leaders think nothing of abusing/enslaving their people in one way or another.
Money will never replace what the establishment took from them.
Pittance
Paddy power got most of my mums compo already.
I am not sure if there is anything I hate more than the catholic church for what it did to those children. Not only is what happened devastating, but those who covered it up and facilitated its continuance for so long are as bad as the abusers themselves. Those that then choose to recognise and support such an institution today really make me wonder what is wrong with them. Why would/could anybody support an organisation that did this to innocent children!? What is wrong with people? You people really do make me feel ill.
I concur with everything you say John Q . The disconcerting thing is that a catholic task force of laypeople and clergy has been set up to
Spread disinformation and lies about the extent of the abuse. Their mantra is to Deny ! Deny ! Deny ! At all costs any accusations against the church irrespective of the truth or source of the information. On the flip side there seems to be other groups of clergy mainly in the states who have set up support groups for clergy whistle blowers. http://www.catholicwhistleblowers.com
Didn’t these women have families too?
We’re all angry here at the state paying for church sins which is fair enough but the irish press also know as the journal gives the Church sinners a constant platform to spout their moral shite through their two spin offs, the immigrant council of ireland and the migrant council who in turn produced the mens development network. So for every one story such as the horrors that these woman suffered the irish press will act as an online broadsheet to spread the good shepherds words
Actually, you are full of shite!
The RCC should be made to pay? Look at the wealth that it has, The RCC can afford to pay..
I’m sickened and apaulled by what went on and the cover up of these poor children and Adults.
@Trevor Beacom, What are you on about?! The immigrant council of ireland and The migrant council have nothing to do with the good sheperd magdeline laundry..?
You are entitled to your opinion about those two councils but they serve a genuine and legitimate purpose; just because you disagree with that purpose why must you spread your shite talk in unrelated articles?
And your name is?
My name is irrelevant. Why do you ask, will knowing my name help you to explain your previous comment?
You know only too well the links between the groups. Pretending that they dont exist is silly. Every eci and mci article which appear here I will publish proof of the links
Still no one is asking why were the London Women’s Group Given €250,000 at the Commissioning of the Quirke Report!
Was this to seek endorsement of the Macalese Report and ensure Compliance with the Quirke findings on Redress?
Shatter certainly compromised this situation by doing this!
My mother spent a couple of years in the Magdalene Laundry in Limerick as well as her entire childhood in the Irish state workhouses and they are telling her that they cannot find her records.
Wait for the vaccine test programmes that were run in these places to come into the spotlight. Humam medical trails without informed consent. That is going to cost.
Sadly the Commission into Child Abuse was stopped from investigating this by the Welcome Trust now part of GSK. There will be no report or Compensation on this.
The Government commissioned a Report that washed the Religious Whiter than a Magdalene Laundry Sheet!
They got the Report they paid for absolving the Nuns and phasing the burden squarely on the State and Tax Payer AGAIN!
have your say