School places for children with autism still a problem
By Aideen O'Flaherty
ISSUES with securing school places for children on the autism spectrum is a common occurrence, according to Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart, who raised a question in the Dáil about a Dublin 24 family whose son is on the autistic spectrum and who was turned down by 24 different schools.
Deputy Lahart raised a parliamentary question, where he asked Richard Bruton, the Minister for Education and Skills, if he considered it “acceptable” that a parent in Dublin 24 had been turned down by 24 different schools when they sought a place for their child, who has autism.
Issues with securing school places for children on the autism spectrum is a common occurrence, according to Fianna Fáil TD John Lahart
In response, the minister stated in part that: “The enrolment of a child to a school is a matter, in the first instance, for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school.
“My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools and it does not maintain details of waiting lists in schools.
“Parents and guardians who may need advice or are experiencing difficulties in locating a school placement should contact their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) who can assist in identifying an appropriate educational placement for their child.
“Contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
“In circumstances where there is no school placement available for a child with Special Educational Needs, my Department will provide the Home Tuition grant towards the provision of 20 hours tuition per week as an interim measure until the NCSE confirms that a placement is available.
“It is suggested that the parents in this particular case get in touch with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) as soon as possible.”
According to Deputy Lahart, the issue that his constituent is facing in trying to get a school place for their child is not an isolated incident.
Speaking to The Echo, Deputy Lahart said: “This is a common across my constituency, from Dublin 24 to Dublin 6W.
“There’s a particular problem arising for parents of children with autism in respect of their post-primary education and the availability of the specialised requirements that they need.”
Further to this, Deputy Lahart also voiced his concern that this is a lack of infrastructure for people on the autism spectrum once they finish second-level education.
“We’re still a while away from preparing adults and children with autism for employment,” said Deputy Lahart.
“My issue is that we really need to start job and training opportunities for those that need specific interventions beyond the Leaving Cert.”
