Boy had been travelling hundreds of kilometres every week to attend a different school
St Christopher’s Special School in Longford was recently the subject of an inspection by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) after concerns were raised about the boy travelling hundreds of kilometres every week to attend another school.
Inspectors found St Christopher’s, his local special school, had scope to take on more students.
Earlier this year, European Affairs Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill told the Seanad the school “currently enrols 41 students” but had recently been refurbished and had approval for nine classes.
“There is, therefore, some more capacity than 41,” she added.
Parents were still reporting difficulty enrolling students there
“I appreciate that there may be constraints with regard to some equipment or the size of some of the equipment but it appears, from the briefing I have had from the Department [of Education], that the admission policy is open.”
Sources said the school has capacity for 54 students but has been operating with seven classes instead of nine, with two classrooms at the school recently used for arts, crafts and other activities.
However, parents were still reporting difficulty enrolling students there.
Fine Gael senator Micheál Carrigy
The school’s board of management said it is engaging with the NCSE and it would be inappropriate to comment publicly on the circumstances of an individual child.
The NCSE declined to comment.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said it could not comment on specific cases, but said the NCSE can use sections of the Education Act to direct schools to admit a child with special educational needs.
“The NCSE and the Department of Education prefer to work collaboratively at all times with schools to provide sufficient capacity for children with special educational needs and to progress the admission of children into available places. In the vast majority of cases, schools work collaboratively with the NCSE and the department to make provision for children with special educational needs,” she added.
It’s about giving people with autism the support and opportunities they deserve
Fine Gael senator Micheál Carrigy previously raised similar issues in the Seanad, pointing to cases where children with special educational needs travel long distances to access education.
“I would always advocate for children to get access to education in their own community and their local school,” he said.
Mr Carrigy proposed new legislation last week which when enacted will oblige future governments to lay out and regularly review long-term frameworks to support people with autism.
He said it is important this is prioritised by the next government, and called on all parties to include implementing the legislation in upcoming election manifestos.
“We need to give certainty to parents and families that supports are going to be there for their children into the future,” he added.
“The Autism Action and Oversight Bill is about giving every child, regardless of their neurodiversity, the same opportunities in life — the chance to reach their full potential.
“It’s about giving people with autism the support and opportunities they deserve.”
