The government’s half-hearted approach to creating adequate school places for children with special needs is an insult to the families breaking their backs to ensure their kids receive an education, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins.
Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s Education spokesperson, said:
“Parents who cannot find a school place for their children with additional needs are being forced out onto the street to fight once more for their right to an education.
“This will be the second overnight protest in just over a month – Equality in Education, who represent over 200 parents of children with special educational needs, organised a 24 hour sleepout outside the Department of Education at the end of February.
“It’s abhorrent that the Minister for Education is still unable to guarantee that these children will be allocated a place fitting of their need in September.
“It’s clear now that their concerns have not been adequately addressed and the most basic rights of children are being ignored.
“The Department of Education isn’t even aware of how many children are without a school place as they haven’t conducted thorough research into the matter, despite it being of grave importance.
“Acquiring this data is essential to getting a handle on this crisis and thus must be prioritised.
“It’s clear that there is a critical shortage of places for children with additional needs – the government must implement immediate measures across the country to address these shortcomings.
“I’ll be standing in solidarity with parents partaking in the protest tomorrow until their voices are heard and their children’s needs are catered for.
“Our education system is failing these families, and immediate, decisive action is required to end this injustice .”
April 1st, 2025