I thank you for the opportunity to raise this matter, which is of considerable concern to the parents and families of some 26 children, in an area extending from Annascaul to Slea Head and Dingle, who have been assessed as having special needs in education. These children range from five to 17 years and generally their condition is described as mildly or moderately mentally handicapped.
Currently, one child travels to a special school in Listowel each day, a distance well in excess of 40 miles. Some others travel to special schools in Tralee, a distance of approximately 26 miles. The parents urgently desire that their children should go to school in their own area and develop friendship in their community. People often find it difficult to understand the tremendous atmosphere of care and loving that exists between parents and families where there is a handicapped child and the close affinity that exists between all such parents and families. This is a factor that gives rise to the tremendous frustration of parents in the Dingle area in regard to the delay in having a resource teacher appointed. Because of this delay, children have to travel for the special education they need, being absent from home for very long periods each day.
I strongly appeal to the Minister and the Department of Education to provide a resource teacher for this area without further delay. This teacher could be based in Dingle town or employed on a sessional basis in the school concerned. The subsequent saving to the Department of Education in transport costs for these children over the years would offset, at least to some extent, the salary of a resource teacher for the area. Therefore, there can be no longer any justifiable reason for a further delay in the appointment of this teacher. It would allay the concern of parents in the area. I appeal to the Minister to deal urgently with this matter.
