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THE PARENTS OF two boys with autism have told of their disappointment after it emerged the school they were supposed to start this September will not be ready until later this year.
Gillian and Darren Milne appeared on RTÉ’s Prime Time during the summer to speak about their experience of trying to get an education for their twin boys Kyle and Ryan.
Speaking in the aftermath of that broadcast, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he had watched the programme, and that it’s “not good enough”.
He added: “The state has failed the Milne family, and Ryan and Kyle in particular, in terms of providing a proper, comprehensive education … that would be appropriate to their needs.”
He added that the Milnes had applied for places for the boys in two schools and had been refused.
But speaking again on Prime Time last night, the Milnes spoke of their disappointment that the special needs school in north Dublin they were preparing to send their children to will now not be ready until at least October.
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The boys’ mother, Gillian Milne, said that the school building in Swords, north Dublin, is not yet ready.
“Ryan and Kyle have been 11 years at home. We really thought this September is going to be our September,” she told RTÉ’s Prime Time.
“Why can’t they be like every other child getting ready to go back to school? If Ryan and Kyle didn’t have special needs, they would be going to the local school around the corner. There wouldn’t be a problem.”
Gillian added that she has been in constant contact with the department over her sons’ education.
“Yesterday was when we really found out for definite that we were offered a school place, but there is no actual school ready – and it won’t be for 1 September.”
“Yes, there is a letter from the department with an actual offer, but it’s a letter with an offer. There is no school,” Gillian said.
The Department of Education has been contacted for comment.
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It’s a national disgrace how children with special needs are not able to access early intervention..This situation has a lifelong negative impact on their lives as by the time family’s are actually offered an appointment the child could be 7 or 8 and it’s too late to have a positive impact on their development…HSE NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE should have been disbanded years ago..
@Marianne Sherlock: this family need help & have been on tender-hooks all summer wondering where there boys are going to go. after assurances by our political elite they have been let down time and again. Disgraceful.
@Marianne Sherlock: It is the Responsibility of the Dept. Of Education and the Minister for Education to ensure that these things happen. Bits of paper with promises is of little use . It’s back to the Public Service again,– they are NOT doing their job . They get paid every week no matter what happens, — the Public are not important , they can wait .
Isn’t it amazing how so few services exist in this country be it health or education amongst others but the management teams exist?
If no services exist why do so many managers?
The question is why is there a delay, could things have been done differently, if so who is responsible and how will they be held accountable? Will they be putting in extra work to get it done on time? Were they working all the hours they were supposed to? The problem is accountability in the public sector. People need a bit of fire under their feet to get the job done.
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