Local Sinn Féin TD Brian Stanley has raised the issue of Laois Special Education Needs in Dáil Éireann with Neale Richmond TD, Minister for State at the Department of Social Protection.
“Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) units are very important and it is important children have access to them,” Deputy Stanley said.
“We have a chronic shortage of ASD units at second level in all of County Laois.
“We have had a rapid population increase in the county. An increasing number of children will be coming on stream and going into secondary schools.
“I have been contacted by parents of children who are moving from primary school to secondary school in September and who cannot get a place in the ASD unit.
“When transitioning from primary level to second level, it can be challenging for children who do not have a special need. However, … it can (also) be a very anxious time for children who have special needs and their parents.
“They need that support and extra help that is given in the ASD units. Parents are worried.
“There are a number of schools in which these are needed. Many of these need new accommodation to build them. They are in line for new accommodation but as yet, it is not coming.”
Deputy Stanley listed the Laois schools and their ASD requirements as follows:
- Portlaoise College – four extra classes
- St. Mary’s CBS Portlaoise – two extra classes
- Coláiste Íosagáin Portarlington – two extra classes
- Coláiste Dhún Másc Portlaoise – two extra classes
- Heywood Community School Ballinakill – two extra classes
“We know that if the interventions are not there at that point and they do not get the learning supports that are required, this will hold them back,” Deputy Stanley said.
“However, it also causes further consequences in later life in terms of employment.
“Children may get into trouble as adults and people may go down the wrong road.
“It may cause all sorts of problems throughout their lives in terms of employment, home life, social life and all other aspects of their lives.
“I accept that some of the buildings will be modular, some will be rapid builds, and some will be standard construction.
“I am not that hard and fast – most people are not – about what we get, once they are quality structures.
“We have to make sure these children make the transition successfully out of primary school from sixth class into first year. We need to keep them within the education system and build for them a successful future.”
In response, Minister Richmond said:
“In 2023, the Department of Education spent in excess of €2.6 billion, or over 27% of the Department’s budget, on providing additional teaching and care supports for children with special educational needs.
“Further progress will be made this year as an additional €113 million will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
“This will allow the Department to further the number of teaching and SNA posts in our schools with an additional 744 teachers and 1,216 SNAs added to deliver up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs.
“This will mean we will have over 41,500 qualified and committed people in our schools who are focused wholly and exclusively on supporting children with special educational needs.
“Over the last number of years, the Department of Education and the NCSE have introduced a number of strategic initiatives to plan for and provide sufficient mainstream, special class and special school places.
“These initiatives are bearing fruit with more than 1,300 new special classes sanctioned and seven new special schools established over the last four years.
“This work involves a detailed review of statistical data with regard to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level.
“As a result of this forward planning, the education Ministers announced the establishment of two special schools for this school year, with further capacity being expanded in 11 other special schools and that a further four special schools for the 2024-25 school year will be established.
“Along with the two new special schools, 389 new special classes, that is, 253 at primary and 136 at post-primary level, have been sanctioned by the NCSE for opening this school year.
“Of these, eight are in Laois – four at primary level and four at post-primary – bringing the total number of special classes in County Laois to 60, that is, 44 at primary level and 16 at post-primary level.
“The NCSE is currently engaging with a number of post-primary schools, including schools such as Coláiste Íosagáin and Heywood Community School to which the Deputy referred, to open further classes for the 2024-2025 school year and these details will be finalised in the coming weeks.
“We all are in shared agreement that there is absolutely a need for additional classes across the country and, indeed, particularly at post-primary level.”
SEE ALSO – Enrolment for mainstream and Autism specific classes now open at St Joseph’s NS in Borris-in-Ossory
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