Press Release
Elaine Mullally Launches Taskforce for Parents of Children with Special Needs in Laois
Laois, 22nd October 2024 – Elaine Mullally, Independent candidate for Laois in the upcoming general election, has announced the creation of a new Taskforce aimed at supporting parents with children with special needs in Laois. Mullally, who has been canvassing across the county, says she has been “shocked and saddened by how much pressure parents with children with special needs are under.”
“Parents can’t get even the most basic of services,” Elaine remarked, pointing to the immense challenges they face. One of the most pressing issues is the difficulty in securing school places for children with special needs. “Different schools and different principals have different policies, which creates inconsistency and stress for families,” she added.
Elaine highlighted the significant lack of information and support available to parents, particularly during the critical period when a child is first diagnosed. As part of the Taskforce’s initial goals, she is working on creating a comprehensive roadmap for parents. This roadmap will guide families through the often-confusing process following a diagnosis, offering clear steps and resources.
“Parents are frequently left upset and overwhelmed after receiving a diagnosis for their child. This roadmap will be a vital tool to help them navigate what comes next,” Elaine explained.
Addressing Critical Shortages in Therapy Services
Elaine also noted a severe shortage of therapists in Ireland, with many emigrating to countries like Australia and Canada for better opportunities. Meanwhile, Irish therapists trained in the UK often face delays of over a year to register with CORU before they can begin working in Ireland.
“We need to address this bottleneck and speed up the registration process,” Elaine emphasised. She also called for the acceleration of conversion courses for qualified teachers, social workers, and nurses, allowing them to complete a master’s degree as a Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or psychologist.
A Call for Change in Disability Services
Elaine believes that years of underinvestment in disability services have led to the current crisis. “Education has never really been an election issue before, but now there is a whole cohort of children and parents struggling,” she said. She emphasised the urgent need to make education and support for special needs children a priority for the upcoming election.
“Parents are the experts on their own children, and we need to empower them,” Elaine stated. “If and when elected, I want to ensure that the treatment of special needs children as second-class citizens in healthcare and education stops.”
Elaine Mullally’s Taskforce aims to give a voice to parents and ensure that their concerns are addressed, advocating for a fairer, more inclusive system for children with special needs in Laois.
ENDS
Contact Information
Campaign Office for Elaine Mullally
Email: elaine@elainemullally.ie
Phone: 085 175 4727
Website: [www.elainemullally.ie]
