Tyrrellspass special class
Deputy Troy says a sanctioned autism special class at Tyrrellspass National School is being blocked by accommodation doubts. The Tánaiste says accommodation should normally follow sanction and will ask the education Minister to resolve it urgently.
The Taoiseach said when he assumed office that supporting people with additional needs would be a key part of a re-energised partnership in government. Surely access to a school place for children with additional needs is a key priority. Tyrrellspass National School in County Westmeath received a letter of sanction from the NCSE for special classes for pupils with autism spectrum disorder to start in 2024 or 2025. Despite the fact that the NCSE sanctioned this approval, the school building unit is questioning the need and resisting the sanction of the additional modular classrooms needed. It does not seem right that one arm of the system says this is required and another arm says it is not going to happen. It is causing anxiety for the parents who already have their children enrolled in this school. It is not good enough.
Comment on this
Normally, when a special class is sanctioned, accommodation has to follow. I will ask the Minister for Education and the Minister of State with responsibility for special education in particular to examine the situation urgently and to bring clarity. If the class has been sanctioned, it means a need has been determined. Children are entitled to be accommodated. I am sure we can get this resolved.