Special people have special needs. Truly wonderful, unique, vibrant people sometimes require and always deserve extra support and a little more attention. This is something that really hit me years ago as principal of The Harold School, Glasthule. Ciara was enrolled in our school when I was appointed principal. At the time, I tried to inform her mother, Anne, that in a class of 30 pupils, I was concerned that we could not facilitate her daughter’s additional needs.
Last week, as Ciara accepted her award at a Special Olympics ceremony we held in Dun Laoghaire, having won three medals at the event in Limerick in June, her mother and I looked back on this first fractious meeting. She recalled her anxiety and frustration as a mother of a six-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, who was being directed away from the local school where her siblings were already in attendance.
I remembered, with embarrassment, my initial assertion that Ciara’s educational needs may be better served in a ‘special school’.
I recalled how Anne vociferously reminded me that it was my job, as principal, to ensure that Ciara’s educational needs were met. I remember clearly that at one stage, Anne looked me straight in the eye and said, forcibly: “Principal, what would you want for your sons if they had Down Syndrome?”
This was a moment of true understanding and awareness; it changed me forever in my professional role and set me on a path of setting up a Special Education Department in the school.
The school diversified and adapted over the following years, and when appointing teachers we looked for expertise in dealing with special needs. We welcomed children with special and additional needs. It was their right to access the school, as much as any other pupil attending. A right, not a privilege.
As Ciara, a wonderful girl with a huge personality and bags of talent, accepted her Special Olympics award last week, I was thankful that special education has advanced so much in the past number of years, but I know that there are still massive deficits that need to be addressed.
The reality faced by parents of children with disabilities was highlighted to me again recently when my friend’s little boy was diagnosed with autism. In the past, a family would present at our school, usually with a diagnosis, and we would put in place resources and individual education plans. What I didn’t know was the horrible struggle families had to face to get that diagnosis. My friend’s family are in the same position as thousands of others.
Getting a diagnosis for autism seems to be the first major hurdle to overcome. Waiting lists, lack of appointments and a deficit of resources meant, in the case of my friend, it took over two years for her son to be diagnosed. She already knew he was autistic but you cannot enter the system until it’s official. This whole process was exhausting and extremely stressful for the family. My friend is checking every website, Facebook page and following Twitter accounts to learn as much as she can. There is information out there but it is inconsistent and I have learned that the support available is piecemeal depending on where you live.
County Wicklow has a very good reputation for autism services while support in my own area of Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, is dismal.
Fine Gael supports diversity in the education of children with special needs, we recognise that both intensive education and mainstreaming can be seen to work for individual children.
As the economic situation improves, we are working towards improving conditions for families and I am committed to representing the families of children with special needs in working to improve the systems in place.
We need to provide more specialised training for teachers and encourage practising teachers to consider masters and diplomas in teaching of special needs. All children in mainstream schools benefit from the attendance of children with special needs.
This promotes integration, understanding and diversity, so we need to make sure schools are adequately equipped with dedicated classrooms and speech and occupational therapists.
A child with a stammer can access speech therapy, but a child with autism or Down Syndrome or other syndromes has to jump through hoops.
Special needs assistants are hugely helpful in schools but I firmly believe they should be trained to deliver programmes tailored to meet the needs of the child.
I am proud of the work that I have done as a teacher and as a TD to advance support available in schools to those with special needs, but I know more can be done. If I was back in my office at Harold School and I was sitting down to mark the copybook of the Department of Education and Skills, I would write in bold red pen: “Has improved in the past 10 years, but needs to do much better.”
– See more at: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/schools-must-do-more-for-special-pupils-30461992.html#sthash.2DT12DFP.dpuf
Last Updated: September 2, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Mitchell O’Connor to chair cyber bullying conference
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has called for action against cyber bullying ahead of the Bully4u conference taking place in Dublin Castle tomorrow (Monday).
“I am delighted to have been asked to chair the Bully4u conference on cyber bullying. Bully4u is a not for profit organisation committed to understanding, communicating with and empowering young people affected by cyber bullying. Respected and knowledgeable speakers will come together tomorrow to raise awareness of the dangers of cyber bullying and to discuss how we can tackle this problem.
“Cyber bullying has brought bullying to a different level. No longer can young people temporarily escape – the bullies online are always there and their power is immense. This poses a huge problem for parents, teachers and anyone who interacts with children.
“The purpose of this conference is to empower key education workers and health staff, to enable social media practitioners, to be able to identify threats and trends, and contribute to policy submission to the Government, the EU and the UN.
“Some excellent speakers including MEP of the year for the Digital Agenda, Sean Kelly and Simon Milner of Facebook have a lot to contribute to this very important discussion.
“As a former teacher I know the perils of cyber bullying and it is clear to me that we need to take action without delay. The Bully4u conference will make a significant contribution to the debate and I expect there will be many excellent ideas which will contribute to making positive change in this area.”
Posted: August 28, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Focus on Road Safety needed as child deaths double
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD and teacher, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Wednesday) urged parents preparing to send children back to school to think about road safety, in light of the news that road deaths among children have doubled this year.
“Twice as many children have died on the roads in the first eight months of the year as were lost in the whole of 2013. This means that road safety must become a priority when it comes to preparing children to go back to school.
“When you think about getting ready to go back to school, lunch boxes, new schools bags and covering books are usually the first things that spring to mind, but it is important that talking about road safety is included in this routine.
“Figures from the Road Safety Authority have revealed that thirteen children under the age of fourteen have died in the first eight months of the year on Irish roads. In the fifteen year period between 1997 and 2012 there was an 89% drop in number of children killed on our roads. Today’s figures indicate that this trend is reversing and action is needed immediately.
“Many children are walking to school and if they are not, they are being dropped off in areas where many cars are coming and going. We need to make sure that children are educated in how to be safe when they are dealing with traffic; this is especially relevant for children in cities and busy areas.
“It is also important that we adults take the simple steps to make sure our children are safe; ensure they are wearing high visibility gear and that they are wearing a seatbelt if in the car. One in three of the child passengers killed so far this year was not wearing a seatbelt or a child restraint; I find that an extremely worrying statistic.
“Attitudes to road safety are formed at a young age so it is important that we start as we mean to go on in helping our young people to stay safe on the roads.”
Last Updated: August 19, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Renewing Motor Tax in Post Office would save money and make life easier
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday), supported the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU) in their call to make motor tax renewal available at Post Offices.
“Post Offices provide a huge array of excellent services including Passport Express application, NTMA savings and banking services. Customers can pay their Local Property Tax, Garda fixed fines and dog license fee. This is in addition to distributing Social Welfare payments and maintaining access to standard postal services. Adding motor tax renewal to this wide range of services would be very beneficial to many.
“Post Offices are at the heart of local communities and the Government is working to support them in any way they can. A cross departmental working group has been established to identify what additional public services could be provided through Post Offices. It is definitely worth exploring the possibility that motor tax renewal could be one of these services.
“A report issued from the IPU suggests that savings can be made for customers by making this change. If this is the case then it is worth considering.
“The economy is starting to improve but many people are not feeling the recovery in their everyday lives. Renewing motor tax in the Post Office would be easy and if it would save money, I’m sure many people would choose that option.”
Posted: August 14, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Long overdue NRH upgrade will hugely benefit service users
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor, having recently met with the design team of the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) in Dun Laoghaire, has today (Wednesday), reiterated her strong support for a prompt upgrade and urges people to engage in the design process.
“As it stands the NRH building is simply not fit for purpose. An upgrade is long overdue and I would encourage all interested parties to engage in the design process.
“The NRH is submitting a planning application to An Bord Pleanala in the coming weeks to replace the existing beds and therapy services on the campus. This will be the first purpose-built rehabilitation facility in Ireland, and will replace all existing patient ward accommodation with new purpose designed patient bedrooms and integrated rehabilitation-specific treatment spaces.
“If everything goes to plan and approval is granted, a contractor will be appointed and it is hoped that the project will be completed by mid-2017.
“The first stage of the upgrade will include building the 120 bedroom hospital to replace the existing small, cramped 110 bedrooms, an 8 bedroom Paediatric unit, a special brain injury unit, a sports hall for wheelchair rugby and basketball, a hydrotherapy pool and integrated therapy rooms. Each room will have a patient information system pad and will use advanced technology for voice control and slight movement control.
“The NRH is not just a building; it is a place where service users should be able to rehabilitate in a positive, supporting and welcoming environment. The upgrade of the NRH will hugely improve the level of care being given to those using the services.
“The NRH provides a comprehensive range of specialised rehabilitation services to adult and paediatric patients who, as a result of an accident, illness or injury have acquired a physical or cognitive disability and require specialist rehabilitation.
“It is estimated that the first phase of the project will cost €40 million and this is being funded by the NRH foundation, the sale of NRH land and by the HSE.
“This is an extremely important project and one I have been supporting for some time. I would encourage anyone who is interested to get involved and to contribute to positive change.”
Posted: August 13, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Leaving Certificate students reminded to consider all of their options
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD and former teacher, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor, today (Wednesday) called on Leaving Certificate students getting results today to remember that they have plenty of options.
“Today is an exciting day and hopefully a very good day for most students. There are however many people who will be disappointed with their results. It is important to remember that you have options and it’s not the end of the world if you didn’t get the points you hoped for.
“The results you get today will not determine the rest of your life; it is what you do with these points and which direction you choose to take that will make the difference. No matter how you feel today, you have choices.
“Students should also remember that it is often a good idea to get their results checked if they are not happy and they felt, on the day, that they did better. There is an option to view your paper with your teacher and then together, with advice, you can choose if it is worth paying to have the result rechecked.
“Today is an important day because it marks the beginning of the next chapter for thousands of students. Well done to everyone who achieved the results they hoped for but for those who are disappointed today, remember that there are PLC courses which you can still apply for. Stay calm and consider all of your options.”
“The Exam 2014 helpline is 1800 265 165 or you can log onto the Irish Times helpdesk at irishtimes.com/results.”
Last Updated: August 12, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Over €300,000 for local authority housing adaptations in Dun Laoghaire
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has, today (Thursday) welcomed the allocation of €323,532 by Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Paudie Coffey TD, for the adaptation of local authority housing to meet the needs of tenants with disabilities.
“In Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, €323,532 has been granted to the County Council so that improvements can be made to local authority housing for tenants with disabilities.
“In all local authorities across the country, allocations have been made for the full amount sought up to €300,000. In our case here in Dun Laoghaire, €360,000 was requested so I am pleased that a significant proportion of the full amount was secured.
“Thousands of people are living in local authority housing in Dun Laoghaire and many of these have disabilities. We need to ensure that the people of the locality are living in homes that are fit for purpose and this funding will go a long way towards making the improvements required.
“Where new houses can’t be identified for tenants with disabilities, we must do everything we can to ensure that their houses are more suitable for them to live in and that is what this funding is intended to do.
“It is important that we continue to work to make the greater Dun Laoghaire area a better place for people to live. Funding such as this is essential in raising the standard of living for all people in the community.
“The provision of housing is a priority for this Government. As well as building new homes, it is vital that we upgrade the houses where people are already living. This funding is very welcome and I am confident it will make a big difference to many people in Dun Laoghaire“.
Last Updated: July 29, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Over €1 million allocated to make Dun Laoghaire energy efficient
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has, today (Monday), welcomed the allocation of over €1 million from the Better Energy Communities Programme to improve Dun Laoghaire amenities.
“The Better Energy Communities Programme is funding awarded by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) to retrofit Ireland’s building stock and facilities to high standards of energy efficiency, this reduces the use of fossil fuels, running costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
“In Dun Laoghaire, €1,294,400 has been awarded to a range of community projects. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council partnered with Dun Laoghaire leisure services and Irish Water to carry out a wide range of energy efficiency upgrades on public lighting, public heritage buildings, on community centres, leisure centres, sheltered housing and water services.
“It is very important that we create a society based on sustainable energy structures and I am pleased that this money is being used to upgrade older buildings and systems; these are facilities used by all of the community on a daily basis.
“I am particularly happy to see that Ballybrack Community Rooms, Cois Carn Community Rooms, St Nathy’s House Community Rooms and Glencullen Community Hall benefit from this programme. These community halls are at the core of the community as they provide vital services to all.”
Posted: July 28, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Get SUSI applications in before deadline on Friday 1st August
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor has, today (Monday), urged parents and students to apply for third level grants this week as SUSI’s deadline is this Friday, 1st August.
“If you or someone in your family is hoping to start a third level course this year, this is the last week for applications as the deadline of 1st August is fast approaching.
“Every year my constituency office is inundated with worried parents and prospective students who didn’t apply to SUSI on time or who didn’t send the correct information. It is really important that you take the time to put together all the required information, that you fill out the form correctly and that everything is submitted on time.
“If you provide SUSI with insufficient information or you make a mistake on the form, this will hold up your application and may result in a delay in payment. There are a lot of costs associated with getting started at third level, so it is important to get applications in on time to ensure payment is received as soon as possible.
“It’s also worth pointing out that although some people may think they are above the threshold you may be eligible for part of the grant and this can be of great assistance. There are a variety of limits in respect of the allowable income depending on the adjustments or increments which are applicable in a particular case. Households with a combined income of €54, 240, and with four or less dependents, are eligible to partial contribution.
“There are only another few weeks before the Leaving Certificate results come out so now is the time to get planning and organising. I know many people who contact me in distress, about late applications, say their son or daughter didn’t think they’d get their course so they let the SUSI deadline pass by without applying. Students often underestimate how well they have done in their exams or they may take a second choice course so it is important to apply anyway and make sure to do so before Friday.”
Last Updated: July 29, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
The system has been too slow to help students with special needs reach their potential.
Special people have special needs. Truly wonderful, unique, vibrant people sometimes require and always deserve extra support and a little more attention. This is something that really hit me years ago as principal of The Harold School, Glasthule. Ciara was enrolled in our school when I was appointed principal. At the time, I tried to inform her mother, Anne, that in a class of 30 pupils, I was concerned that we could not facilitate her daughter’s additional needs.
Last week, as Ciara accepted her award at a Special Olympics ceremony we held in Dun Laoghaire, having won three medals at the event in Limerick in June, her mother and I looked back on this first fractious meeting. She recalled her anxiety and frustration as a mother of a six-year-old girl with Down Syndrome, who was being directed away from the local school where her siblings were already in attendance.
I remembered, with embarrassment, my initial assertion that Ciara’s educational needs may be better served in a ‘special school’.
I recalled how Anne vociferously reminded me that it was my job, as principal, to ensure that Ciara’s educational needs were met. I remember clearly that at one stage, Anne looked me straight in the eye and said, forcibly: “Principal, what would you want for your sons if they had Down Syndrome?”
This was a moment of true understanding and awareness; it changed me forever in my professional role and set me on a path of setting up a Special Education Department in the school.
The school diversified and adapted over the following years, and when appointing teachers we looked for expertise in dealing with special needs. We welcomed children with special and additional needs. It was their right to access the school, as much as any other pupil attending. A right, not a privilege.
As Ciara, a wonderful girl with a huge personality and bags of talent, accepted her Special Olympics award last week, I was thankful that special education has advanced so much in the past number of years, but I know that there are still massive deficits that need to be addressed.
The reality faced by parents of children with disabilities was highlighted to me again recently when my friend’s little boy was diagnosed with autism. In the past, a family would present at our school, usually with a diagnosis, and we would put in place resources and individual education plans. What I didn’t know was the horrible struggle families had to face to get that diagnosis. My friend’s family are in the same position as thousands of others.
Getting a diagnosis for autism seems to be the first major hurdle to overcome. Waiting lists, lack of appointments and a deficit of resources meant, in the case of my friend, it took over two years for her son to be diagnosed. She already knew he was autistic but you cannot enter the system until it’s official. This whole process was exhausting and extremely stressful for the family. My friend is checking every website, Facebook page and following Twitter accounts to learn as much as she can. There is information out there but it is inconsistent and I have learned that the support available is piecemeal depending on where you live.
County Wicklow has a very good reputation for autism services while support in my own area of Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, is dismal.
Fine Gael supports diversity in the education of children with special needs, we recognise that both intensive education and mainstreaming can be seen to work for individual children.
As the economic situation improves, we are working towards improving conditions for families and I am committed to representing the families of children with special needs in working to improve the systems in place.
We need to provide more specialised training for teachers and encourage practising teachers to consider masters and diplomas in teaching of special needs. All children in mainstream schools benefit from the attendance of children with special needs.
This promotes integration, understanding and diversity, so we need to make sure schools are adequately equipped with dedicated classrooms and speech and occupational therapists.
A child with a stammer can access speech therapy, but a child with autism or Down Syndrome or other syndromes has to jump through hoops.
Special needs assistants are hugely helpful in schools but I firmly believe they should be trained to deliver programmes tailored to meet the needs of the child.
I am proud of the work that I have done as a teacher and as a TD to advance support available in schools to those with special needs, but I know more can be done. If I was back in my office at Harold School and I was sitting down to mark the copybook of the Department of Education and Skills, I would write in bold red pen: “Has improved in the past 10 years, but needs to do much better.”
– See more at: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/education/schools-must-do-more-for-special-pupils-30461992.html#sthash.2DT12DFP.dpuf
Posted: July 22, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
HSE does not have adequate resources or systems to monitor Section 38 and 39 agencies
Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD and member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor, today (Tuesday), speaking at the Health Committee hearing on the HSE Section 38 and 39 report, questioned HSE Deputy Director General, Laverne McGuinness on the HSE’s capability to monitor Section 38 and 39 agencies.
“It is a huge task for the HSE to audit these organisations and to ensure that tax payer’s money is allocated wisely. Today I questioned Laverne McGuinness, HSE Deputy Director General about the competence of the HSE and its ability to monitor section 38/39 organisations when the HSE itself is fragmented.
“I find it extraordinary that ten years after the HSE was set up, financial systems are still not integrated, eleven or more financial management systems remain in place. How could the HSE possibly monitor what is going on in the Section 38 and 39 organisations when it is so fragmented in terms of financial management systems? An integrated system is badly needed.
“When asked if she has confidence in the HSE’s ability to monitor Section 38 and 39 agencies, Laverne McGuinness admitted that the current system of operation is lacking and that new procedures are needed.
“There are also issues around the number of qualified accountants, financial controllers and auditors employed by the HSE, are staff resources available to do this properly?
“We need to know why very generous pay practices are only coming to light now. Were there whistle-blowers trying to attract attention? Was this brought to the attention of HSE senior management?
“The HSE funds over 1,900 Voluntary Agencies to a value of approximately €3.1 billion. Forty-four of these agencies, accounting for €2.5 billion are funded under Section 38 of the Health Act, while the remaining agencies of which there are more than 1,800 are part-funded under Section 39 of the Health Act.
“I appreciate the very important work carried out by Section 38 and 39 organisations, but it is essential that we ensure that these bodies are managed in a way that benefits the service users and the tax payer. I am not confident that the HSE has the means to carry out this function and the Deputy Director General failed to reassure me at today’s Health Committee meeting.”
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