Simon Harris, the forthcoming head of Fine Gael, is under severe censure due to three asserted media presentations of a lone strategy for the development of tertiary-level student dwellings. Mike O’Connor, a Labour Youth delegate, revealed at the party’s national summit that he, along with various other students, demonstrated in opposition at a press briefing by the Minister at DCU. He insists this was the third unveiling of the identical university accommodation building scheme.
O’Connor argued that while 1,254 units were pledged, the Government can only provide funds for a mere 521 spaces. He criticised Harris for accomplishing only his elevation to the Taoiseach’s post. Advocating for the building of student residences to be entirely publicly backed and retained, O’Connor rebuked Harris: “Rather than a third press briefing instructing us to erect student accommodation, we required action to actually move forward with the project.”
Labour’s political status continues to be unremarkable, yet loyal party members view Ivana Bacik as a ‘beneficial presence’. Ex-Minister for special education, Josepha Madigan bore the brunt of the delegates’ wrath due to reductions in the summer provision for students with special needs and deficiencies in services for numerous children.
John O’Regan, a teacher and Carrigaline local election contender, expressed that the funds for the scheme have effectively been sliced in half over the last two years. He further noted that despite financial stress, in 2022, the schools had a weekly budget of €240 to €360, whereas this year they only have €120 to €180 to arrange trips and various activities to support the children over the summer. He labelled the cuts as unjustifiable and questioned why the most susceptible pupils were being targeted. He declared it a disgraceful act to try and save “a trifle of money”. Moreover, special education’s governing minister resigned the following day and will not be contesting the general election, effectively abandoning the families with additional needs, O’Regan added.
Senator Annie Hoey expressed strong disapproval over the €120 million of taxpayers’ money spent on private education, arguing it could have been effectively used to finance underfunded summer schemes. John Walshe, a spokesman for the Castleknock region, underscored the dire state of assistance for students with special educational needs. He sharply criticised Ms Madigan for her near-total absence of specialised and specific provisions, with services such as speech and language or occupational therapies notably lacking.
The difficulty parents face in securing spots at secondary schools for their children was also highlighted by Walshe, pointing out that an estimated 13 children in his area would likely be without school placements come September, despite unprecedented levels of public funding. Walshe lauded Ms Madigan’s resignation, criticising her harshly as an ineffectual and inept member of the government, particularly in her handling of special education, which he described as the worst in recent years. In addition, he stated that the current system for supporting children with special needs is fundamentally flawed.
However, one conference attendee, who herself is a mother of two children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and other complex needs, rebuked Ms Madigan for her decision to resign. She argued that the government fell short of catering to such needs and criticised Ms Madigan for deserting her post, recalling that she had personally assured parents of children with special needs that their concerns would be addressed, but had in reality achieved nothing. She criticised her not only for her lack of achievements but also for resigning due to her awareness of her own failures. This moves, according to her, symbolised a government neglectful of vulnerable children in society, stating their needs are minimal but require the government to sufficiently care for them, a need which they are entitled to be met.