Allocation of new special classes in Kildare criticised
Photo for illustrative purposes only
THE Kildare South constituency will get a third of new special classes allocated in the county.
Labour's Mark Wall has called for more special classes in Kildare South for children with autism and mixed disabilities, following an announcement of only six classes being allocated to the constituency by the National Council for Special Education (NSCE).
According to the NCSE, this is out of a total of 18 in Kildare.
These schools are Athy Community College, Athy Model School, Crookstown NS, St Evin’s NS Monasterevin, Scoil Bhríde Lackagh, and St Conleth’s NS in Derrinturn.
“Many parents will be disappointed to hear the news that only six classes out of 18 have been allocated to Kildare South which is nowhere near enough to meet the level of need for special classes for children with additional needs and mixed disabilities.
“There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have a parent in my office pleading for a school place for their child.
“I’ve had parents apply up to 50 schools unsuccessfully, and I know that they will be applying to these new classes.
“Unfortunately, the reality is that these new classes are already full before they are even open. We need to have a lot more special classes for children in Kildare South and the current allocation is only a drop in the ocean.
“I am in contact with a school that is willing and able to open a second special class, but government are refusing to allow this happen.
This is deeply unfair to the schools that are working hard to support their communities and to the children who are facing a September without a school place."
