Calls for autism spectrum disorder classrooms in Kildare school

A Kildare North TD has asked the Tánaiste when autism spectrum disorder classrooms are going to be set up for Scoil Mochua in Celbridge.

With approval for the classrooms granted in 2021, Deputy Réada Cronin asked, “when will the education of our special children be taken seriously?”

Deputy Cronin asked the question of the Tanaiste, Deputy Simon Harris in the Dáil on Thursday April 3.

This was the day after World Autism Awareness Day, she pointed out, when parents of neurodiverse children slept outside the Dáil in protest for the second time this year.

Deputy Cronin said: “Many of these children have no school place for September. They are being denied fundamental human and educational rights by the State.

“One of the mothers said to me last night that although her child is non-verbal, she is not. These parents are a formidable force. The Tánaiste should take the demand seriously.

“In my constituency of Kildare North, Scoil Mochua in Celbridge was granted approval to set up autism spectrum disorder classrooms in 2021 but is still without them.

“Yet, the Government says it cannot guarantee a school place for every child in September. When are these schools going to be built? When will the education of our special children be taken seriously?”

Deputy Harris replied: “I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I take those parents extraordinarily seriously. Parents are busy and have a lot going on, particularly parents of a child with special needs.

“To come and sleep out at the Dáil shows the sense of real frustration, worry and concern they feel right now.”

According to Deputy Harris, “some 369 of the 400 classes” for next September have been sanctioned “as of today.”

He added: “The NCSE continues to assess additional provision in local areas. My understanding is that the provision of those additional special classes for the 2025-26 year, that is, the next school year, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.”

Deputy Harris said he understood the Minister for Education and the Minister of State with responsibility for special education met with a number of parents outside the Dáil on Wednesday.

He said he was told it was a “positive engagement” on the issues parents face when seeking a suitable special educational placement.

“The Minister said she would like to meet that group again to follow up and we will ensure that happens”, he concluded.

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