Minister apologises after comparing special schools fallout to Mother and Baby Homes

A Government Minister who made a connection between the impact on parents of children with special needs who cannot return to school and Mother and Baby Homes has apologised.

Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan told RTÉ's Claire Byrne Show this morning that the failure to secure a return to education for children with special educational needs was "completely and wholly unsatisfactory".

She went on to say: "We've spent the last week talking about mother and baby homes, where our most vulnerable were left to their own devices in less than satisfactory conditions and we're now allowing further anxiety and upset to be placed on the shoulders of parents whose children desperately need to go back to school."

The comments sparked outrage and later this afternoon, she issued a statement apologising for the analogy she had used.

She said: "This morning, I made comments on how important it is that our children with special educational needs return to in-person learning. As part of these comments, I reflected on how vulnerable people have been entirely let down in the past, and I made a reference to mother and baby homes. I sought to clarify these comments in the Dáil today.

"I in no way intended offence towards anyone who works with children with special educational needs. I am, as are all involved in supporting these children, passionate about vindicating their rights and in reaching for an analogy I chose poorly.

"I apologise fully."

It's the second time in a week the minister has issued an apology over comments she made.

Earlier this week, speaking in the Dail on the issue of the return to school for children with special educational needs, she referred to children without additional needs as "normal".

“We all know that even for normal children remote teaching is difficult but for children who have additional needs it is particularly difficult," she said.

She later apologised for her language stating that it was not what she intended to say.