The Minister for Children is "failing children right across this country", the Labour Party has claimed, with families of children with special needs being subjected to "absolutely harrowing" experiences.
The party's spokesperson on education and youth, Eoghan Kenny, said there are 14,000 children waiting for an assessment of needs and 13,000 waiting for first contact from services.
There are "126 children still not knowing whether or not they'll have a school place for this September coming," he added.
The Cork North Central TD said that Labour is tabling a Private Member's Motion on special education tomorrow which includes "nine asks".
He called on Minister for Education Helen McEntee "to engage significantly with the issue we have with special educational needs right throughout the country".
"It's an absolute failure by the State," he said.
Mr Kenny also said that he is "very fearful" that secondary teachers "might be on the brink of striking".
He rejected Leaving Cert reform "that is not resourced", and warned that the Government could create a situation where private schools are favoured over others.
"I don't accept it. The Labour Party do not accept it," he said, adding: "I do fully support reform of the Leaving Certificate."
Labour Senator Laura Harmon also revealed that the party is working on a bill to address assault leave for teachers.
