Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education, Darren O’Rourke TD, has said that no child with additional needs should be left without a school place.
Deputy O’Rourke was speaking ahead of moving a Dáil motion calling on government to immediately expand the number of special school places, special classes and special education teaching hours across the state.
He said that the failure of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments to adequately plan for and invest in the expansion of special education has failed children with additional needs who have been left without school places.
Teachta O’Rourke said:
“No child with additional needs should be left without a school place.
“The current shortage of special classes and appropriate school places, leaving children, particularly those with additional needs, without access to suitable education is causing enormous trauma and heartbreak to children, their parents and families.
“I have been contacted by parents from across the state who have received multiple rejection letters and who are left without a suitable school place for their child.
“In most cases they are forced to home school. In many cases they report their child regressing. It is heartbreaking.
“Successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have failed to adequately plan for and invest in the expansion of special education.
“The lack of coordination between the Department of Education, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and schools, has resulted in a fragmented and inefficient system, with a disproportionate impact on children from disadvantaged backgrounds, who face even greater barriers to accessing appropriate education.
“There are still children with additional needs who do not have a suitable school place. These children were failed in September 2024, and we cannot see a repeat of this in September 2025.
“This situation cannot be allowed to continue, and that is why Sinn Féin is bringing forward a Dáil motion this week calling on the government to act.
“The government must immediately expand the number of special school places, special classes and special education teaching hours across the state.
“The current state of special education is unacceptable and fails to uphold the rights of children with additional needs.
“The government must ensure that every child currently without a suitable school place, and all those due to start primary or secondary school in September 2025, have access to a suitable school place within a reasonable distance from their home.”
