Minister for Disabilities and Children, Anne Rabbitte, has responded to comments by Cavan County Councillor, Brendan Fay that she should resign. Cllr Fay was frustrated when he learned at the last meeting of Cavan County Council that the Minister had not replied to two items of correspondence from the council over disability services. At the time, he said she showed a lack of respect to Cavan County Council by not replying to their requests for support.
In March 2023, the Council wrote a letter to the Minister expressing concern at the lack of services and opportunities for young students at the Holy Family School in Cootehill. While the letter (issued by post) did not initially receive a response, and a number of follow-up emails were issued, the Minister's office did respond, and the last correspondence from the Minister's office on the matter, received in June 2023. A second correspondence on the issue of educational supports for children with special needs was also sent.
A spokesperson at the Minister's Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth said "Minister Rabbitte replied to Cavan County Council in June 2023 and as a follow-up met with this parents delegation from Holy Family School in Dublin on August 8th, 2023. "The issue of educational supports for children with special needs is a matter for the Department of Education," the spokesperson pointed out,
