Parents have 'serious concerns' building works at special schools will not be finished by September
There are "serious concerns" building works or modular accommodation at several special schools will not be ready in time for September, the Oireachtas education committee has heard.These include Rochestown Special School, Carrignavar Special School and East Cork Community Special School, as well as St John’s Special School, Dungarvan.It also includes the Liebermann School, Corpus Christi National School, and St Mary’s Boys National School in Dublin.The committee met on Wednesday with parents, principals and representatives from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to discuss issues in special education.Parent Charlotte Cahill of the Equality in Education campaign told the committee of her family's experience of getting more than 60 refusals for a school place for her daughter. This was despite receiving assurances every child known to the NCSE would have a place.The current allocation model for special needs assistants (SNAs) and special education teachers (SETs) was deeply flawed, Ms Cahill said.
Parents are often excluded from meaningful participation, despite being the most consistent voices for their children. The current SNA allocation focuses narrowly on 'primary care needs' such as toileting and feeding, ignoring critical regulation and emotional support needs.
Rebecca Meehan, also of Equality in Education, told TDs the expansion of special classes or schools often requires building works or modular accommodations. “However, with some classes sanctioned as late as April or May, there are serious concerns that these will not be ready for September."Parents are often offered home tuition as an alternative, but this is not a viable option for many families. Many homes are not suitable environments for education, especially where there are multiple children or limited space. Additionally, qualified tutors are extremely difficult to find." Ms Meehan later added the Equality in Education campaign was aware of parents now receiving calls from the NCSE to ask what "interim options" they would be happy with, she added. Meanwhile, the head of the NCSE refused to provide the number of children who are still without a school place to the committee. John Kearney was asked by Fine Gael TD Emer Currie how many students in Dublin 15 are still without a place for this September. In response, Mr Kearney confirmed the NCSE did have a figure, both locally and nationally, but would not reveal the number as education minister Helen McEntee had indicated she would update Cabinet with it shortly. Ms Currie said she did not understand the lack of transparency around the figure. Mr Kearney also confirmed to Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger that more than 3,000 parents have contacted the NCSE seeking a school place for this year, and the NCSE is "working through" the system. Ms Coppinger also asked how many of the sanctioned 399 special classes would be open in September. Mr Kearney said 80% of the classes would be "up and running". Some schools in Dublin 15 would need "contigency measures" the committee heard. The Department of Education said it is trying to get all required special education places accommodated included the schools mentioned in the committee. It also said it will help schools to put contingency plans in place for those that do not get the accommodation in time.
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