Parents protest over lack of education services
They will gather outside the South Eastern Health Board offices in Kilkenny in a bid to get officials to listen to them.
They hope others concerned about the existing service in the region will join in the campaign.
Among those who will be protesting are Caroline and Paul O’Dwyer.
Their children, six-year-old Shannon and four year-old, Paul Jnr, have been denied places at a local speech unit, despite having a speech disorder.
Both children received help in the home last year. But Shannon’s hours have been cut and Paul’s service totally withdrawn. Neither child has the special needs assistant they need and are only enrolled at Freshford National School outside Kilkenny city because the principal and their class teacher agreed to take them in.
Others who will protest outside the Dublin Road offices in Kilkenny on Friday from 11.30 to 1.30pm are in the same position.
“Anyone who has an interest in the health service in the south-east will have to stand up and be counted and should come along on Friday. If we don’t stick together, we will be toppled and our services could be under further threat,” said Mrs O’Dwyer.
“We want everyone to come along.
“I’m fighting for services for Shannon and Paul for four years and all they are getting is an hour of speech therapy. Even that could be under threat soon.”
