Kate’s plight sparks row in the Dáil

The plight of a five-year-old girl with special needs provoked heated Dáil exchanges as the Government was accused of restricting support for children who needed extra educational help.

The case of wheelchair-bound Cork girl Kate Crowley was raised by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who condemned the fact she was denied a special needs assistant, even though she has spinal rods, severe respiratory conditions and hearing problems.

Mr Martin said the child faced an “extraordinary set of challenges,” and it appeared as if the system generally was tailored so parents had to “fight” for the care their children needed.