Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

After a campaign by parents, there are now four primary-level ASD classes in my town of Skerries, in the Educate Together National School, with two more due on stream. However, there are no places for these kids in secondary schools. As sure as night follows day, a child who starts in primary school will hopefully progress into secondary school. Temporary accommodation was provided for mainstream students in Skerries Community College while the college awaits its extension, which has been stalled since 2020.

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However, no temporary accommodation has been provided for kids who need to be in an ASD classroom. Parents are getting frantic at this stage. They have been in touch with my office because they know that not only are there no secondary places in our town but neither are there any in surrounding towns. The NCSE, the board of management and the parents all agree this is necessary. They tell me the blockage is within the Department of Education. Will the Tánaiste engage with the Minister for Education and come up with a solution, even if it is only a temporary solution while we await the school's extension being built?

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