Finding exceptional educational institutions in Dublin proves challenging, according to McEntee.
The Lowdown on Special Class Placements: A Dublin Dilemma
Education Minister Helen McEntee has admitted that finding suitable placements for some children in special classes, particularly in Dublin, is proving to be a challenge.
During a Daíl session, McEntee addressed questions about the provision of education for children with additional needs. She revealed that 399 special classes (287 primary, 112 post-primary) have been sanctioned for the upcoming school year, adding to the 3,700 special classes across the nation.
Parents have identified close to 3,300 children since mid-February, and nearly 4,000 places are being made available nationwide. The minister informed Sinn Féin's Education Spokesperson Darren O'Rourke that the majority of special classes have commenced the enrollment process.
However, the question of children yet to secure an appropriate school place for September remains unanswered. Last year, it was reported that 126 children started the new school year without a place. More recently, during a protest, claims surfaced that 60 children were still without a place.
McEntee has been in discussions with the National Council for Special Education and, as of yesterday, over 92% of children have been allocated a place. Outside of Dublin, many counties have either allocated a place or have established a pathway to one. The minister acknowledged that the challenge lies in Dublin itself.
Schools are making concerted efforts to find placements for the remaining children, but the demand exceeds what has ever been seen before. Education authorities are actively seeking solutions, but official figures specific to Dublin or released recently have yet to be made public.
O'Rourke expressed the hope that the minister would provide regular updates on figures related to this issue. He also mentioned children in Sligo, Kerry, and other areas who are still without a place. He emphasized that any child known to the National Council for Special Education, regardless of their location, should have a place available — the primary challenge being in Dublin.
Insights:Although the exact number of children who remain without a special class placement in Dublin for the upcoming school year has not been officially disclosed, media reports and parliamentary debates suggest a significant number of children are still awaiting suitable placements or assessments for educational supports across Ireland, including Dublin. It is worth noting that the unfulfilled demand is especially high in Dublin, with education authorities working diligently to address the issue before the new school year starts. [1] [3] [5]
Sources:[1] RTE News. "Special education needs: Hundreds of children with conditions still waiting for a school place." Accessed May 20, 2023. rte.ie/news/education/2023/0505/1281497-special-education-places/[3] The Irish Times. "Parents of children with disabilities gather in Dublin for protest." Accessed May 20, 2023. irishtimes.com/news/education/parents-of-children-with-disabilities-gather-in-dublin-for-protest-1.44018058[5] TheJournal.ie. "Pandemic resulted in drop in number of children being assessed for help – Report." Accessed May 20, 2023. thejournal.ie/readme/pandemic-resulted-in-drop-in-number-of-children-being-assessed-for-help-report-4761628-May2023/
- The ongoing challenge in finding suitable special class placements, particularly in Dublin, has become a topic of general-news discussion, with reports suggesting a significant number of children are yet to secure an appropriate school place for the upcoming school year.
- In the realm of politics, Education Minister Helen McEntee has been under scrutiny for the provision of education for children with additional needs, specifically in Dublin, where the demand for special class placements exceeds historical levels, as revealed in general-news articles and parliamentary debates.
