Kate Raftery, 19, from Ashbourne, was speaking at a 24-hour sleep out outside the Department of Education on Friday, where parents criticised the lack of special school places available for families.

The demonstration is set to start from 1pm on Friday at the department on Marlborough Street in the city

Taoiseach Simon Harris has promised to “ramp up” special education therapy provision in October’s budget, saying the current offering was not good enough.

Labour’s Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said he was “horrified” to learn what families had to go through to secure places

Delays in special needs assessments mean some children may not reach their full potential, a lobby group has warned.