Parents of three children with special needs say the Government is shutting them out of education

Tuesday, 25 May 2021 11:59

The parents of three children with special needs have accused the Government of shutting their children out of education.

The parents gathered at Lapps Quay in the city this morning to highlight the fact that their children have been unable to secure a space in a secondary school and as a result they have no opportunity to progress in their education.

Just last month the Taoiseach announced plans for a new special school in Carrigaline which would have 48 places for children with learning difficulties and autism and an extra 12 places were announced for children at St Mary's Special School in Rochestown.

However the parents who came together this morning to fight for their children's right to an education say they have not been contacted by either of the schools and are facing into the next academic year with no school place.

Tim Madden's 12 year old daughter Abbie is currently attending Cara Junior School in Banduff, Mayfield and he told RedFM News that his daughter's educational future is hanging in the balance.

"My worries are there is that there is no place in secondary school for Abbie at the moment. She's graduating on the 30th of June, and we have no place for Abbie going forward.

"There's been announcements of Carrigaline coming into play, but at the moment we have no notification from anyone stating that she has a place."