Teens with autism refused school places due to cuts

Almost 100 teenagers with severe autism in Munster have been refused school places due to cutbacks in funding, cutting off their access to crucial educational and psychiatric support.

Eilis Barrett, whose daughter Antonia, 18, graduated from a special school last week, said her daughter refused a place in three educational centres because of the lack of funding and support. The Cork mother appealed to the Government for help to secure her daughter’s future.

“This is really like a Third World country,” said Mrs Barrett. “Antonia is entitled to this education until she is 21 years of age. I didn’t realise how bad a situation we were in until we got the letters telling us Antonia would not have a school place in September, meaning we lose all our supports for her as well. They are wiping their hands of my daughter.”