Nano Nagle graduates left in uncertain limbo
STUDENTS with disabilities and their families are being left in a frightening limbo on leaving school as they wait to find out what services will be available for them after graduating.
At least one student of the Nano Nagle special secondary school in Listowel who is finishing school this academic year is still waiting for confirmation on the care and services that will be provided for him by the HSE when he leaves the institute. Two others were only informed of their future provision by the HSE in September, meanwhile.
Fianna Fáil deputy John Brassil – the party’s spokesperson on primary care – raised the issue of delays with Minister of State at the Department of Finance Patrick O’Donovan this week. Deputy Brassil blames the level of bureaucracy in the system for the painful wait families and students are being forced to face.
“At present, the process of determining and allocating support for these young people starts in September before they are due to finish school,” Deputy Brassil said.
“Many are left waiting an unfair amount of time to be told what service supports would be provided to them and their families when they left the school.
“For example, for those who finished their schooling in summer 2017, the process began in September 2016. Unfortunately, with the level of bureaucracy in our system, only two of the five students due to complete their studies at Nano Nagle were informed of their future provision by the HSE... Two were only told in September, and alarmingly there is still one young adult and his family waiting for confirmation from the HSE,” he said. He is calling for the process to start much earlier and with fellow Kerry TDs will meet the Minister of Health on the issue as it pertains to the entire county – where 271 applications for support for school leavers were received this year.