Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Although this is a national issue, the problem is particularly acute in my constituency of Dublin Bay South, which covers Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 6W. The national ratio of special needs places to mainstream places is 1:100. In Dublin, the ratio is 1:119. In Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 6W, it is 1:782, which identifies my constituency as a pocket of extraordinary educational disadvantage for children with special needs. If the national average applied in the areas of Dublin 2, 4, 6 and 6W we would expect to have approximately 94 places or 15 autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classrooms. Instead, in Dublin 6 there is only one national school with two ASD units, in St. Clare’s in Harold’s Cross. It does an excellent job but it cannot deal with the demand for special needs places in that area on its own.

Why is the lack of special needs places so great in this area? One major issue is the NCSE’s lack of planning and its reliance on the special educational needs organisers, SENOs, to plan for them. The SENOs get their information from schools and unfortunately, it appears to be the case that some schools do not want ASD units within their schools for reasons that are hard to explain. It is in respect of this that the Minister can intervene under the Education Acts.

I commend the parents who fight so strongly for their children’s rights, particularly Miriam Kenny and Alan Power, who have been vigorous in pursuing their children's entitlements. They should not have to fight in this way. They have a right to have this provided by the State.

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