FG undemocratic in stance on bill

Special needs schools have been neglected

■ Sir — As a parent of a nonverbal teenager with severe complex needs, I write as her representative and for the many other children and families in similar circumstances.

Since lockdown, special needs schools have been closed, which has resulted in significant numbers of children regressing, heartbreakingly for their parents but, most disturbingly, educationally. For instance, many life skills learned have disappeared, and children have become frustrated and confused by the lack of school structure. This has had catastrophic consequences for families.

Tragically, children with severe complex needs are invisible and treated as outcasts in society. The withdrawal of their essential services without a comprehensive back-up plan in place is a dreadful legacy of the current political system. It is inexcusable and an attack on children’s and parents’ human rights. It is an assault on parents’ intelligence, their dignity and, above all, a blatant disregard for decency and respect.

Every politician, the Department of Education and the Health Service Executive should hang their heads in shame at the cruel neglect of the most vulnerable.

According to Inclusion Ireland, there are reports of a two-week summer programme in July for children who attend special schools or classes. It should be for the full month as the children have missed enough time. A short period will only confuse them further and cause more antagonism.

Furthermore, a lot of the designated special needs schools have not previously provided the July scheme, so how is this going to work now?

The provision of tuition in the home is also a non-runner. From experience, children need to be in the school environment as it is difficult to get them to engage and it is heavily dependent on the reliability of the tutor.

Finally, an overhaul of respite services is also needed with some parents receiving little to no services. Nevertheless, it is too late for many children.

The damage is severe with the regression rampant. Some of the milestones reached are an eternity away.

Declan Monaghan,

Tullamore, Co Offaly

■ Sir — Fine Gael has drifted into uncharted, dangerous, antidemocratic territory. Its stance on the Occupied Territories Bill is no longer just about this piece of legislation.

Fine Gael, representing 24pc of the electorate, continues to apply a veto to a bill supported by seven of the eight political parties represented in the Dail and has passed eight out of 10 stages of its passage through the Oireachtas.

Whether or not the Occupied Territories Bill survives, let the electorate remember in future elections that Fine Gael plays by democratic rules when it suits but favours expediency over democracy at other times.

John Geoghegan,

Glasnevin, Dublin