The plight of parents of children with special needs in Monaghan will be brought before the Education Minister today.
Monaghan currently has no overnight respite service and is one of two counties nationwide that has no special school. Special Needs Active Parents are actively campaigning for a special school in Monaghan, as well as a day respite centre and standalone respite centre. They are due to meet with Education Minister Norma Foley today to outline their concerns and appeal for their demands to be met.
Kathleen from the group SNAP says families in Monaghan and surrounding areas are at breaking point.
"Our politicians were told and their heads were put into the sand and they did not listen and take the advice on board. We are in crisis mode. I still stand by what I said. There are families at breaking point here. When you hear Ministers saying that every child is going to have a school place this September, a lot of these placements are not suitable for our children. This is what's wrong. Then we have schools that are opening up units that are not trained and it's not the fault of the school or the principals, teachers, or staff".
