'Many children with special education needs are still without school places in Cavan and Monaghan'. That's according to local Sinn Fein TD, Deputy Pauline Tully, who raised the matter in the Dail this week.
Deputy Tully told Minister Josepha Madigan that she was contacted by a parent who attempted to enrol her five-year-old child in a local school, where there are three autism classes.
She highlighted how the parent was told there was a waiting list and that no places were currently available. Deputy Tully added that one local school has a waiting list of ten, meaning that ten children are now without a school place.
Meanwhile, Minister Madigan pointed out to Deputy Tully that there are 86 special classes in Cavan and Monaghan, 12 of which are new special classes that opened this year; one special school; and nine early intervention classes.
She highlighted how this was not indicative of further special classes not being opened for September 2023. The Minister also said that at local level, the National Council for Special Education is continuing to engage with schools with regard to additional special classes.
She pointed out that every support will be given to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe. The Minister added that she expecting confirmation from the NCSE that new special classes at primary and post primary levels will be sanctioned over the coming weeks, in keeping with timelines in previous years.
