Case of blind four year old child in need of SNA raised in Dáil by Louth TD

The case of a blind four-year-old child who started primary school in north Louth without an SNA, despite multiple reports that he needs one, has been raised in Leinster House by Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú.

The Dundalk deputy secured a Topical Issue debate on the case of Tiernan Clarke at Rampark National School who is registered blind and who also has a condition that causes his bones to break if he falls.

Deputy Ó Murchú told Minister of State Michael Moynihan that the child requires one-on-one SNA allocation, but, despite his clear needs, he doesn’t have one.

He said that while he understood the rules around the allocation of SNAs, there needs to be “an element of flexibility because we are talking about a health and safety issue that is causing huge stress for a family and a child who at this point in time does not have the supports he should have”. He asked Minister Moynihan to “do everything in your power to resolve this”.

In response, Minister Moynihan said: “The NCSE advised me that it has been in communication with the school regarding the deployment of an SNA allocation and that the student is being provided with support at present. The school submitted a further request to the council. There were a number of issues with that request.

“The council went back to the school looking for further information. This information was received by the council on 15 September and the review is being processed. I assure the Deputy that I will liaise with the NCSE and the Department to make sure the review is done as speedily as possible and we can get back to him. I take the points the Deputy made relating to his constituent and the level of need that is there.

Minister Moynihan added, “I assure him that I will work with the NCSE to ensure there is a timely review of the matter and we can get back to him as soon as it is completed”.

Deputy Ó Murchú reiterated the need for flexibility around children like Tiernan in relation to SNA allocation.
He said: “I welcome the fact that the Minister of State will engage with the review process.

“If we could have that happen as quickly as possible and deliver a positive result his mam, the principal and everyone else would be especially happy with that. Then we could provide the child with the necessary school framework in which he can learn”.