Parents panic after new autism classes delayed: 'I have nothing to fall back on'

One parent, who had removed their child from waiting lists at other schools, stated they are yet to receive an update on the situation since being notified of the delay.

The planned opening of two new autism classes in an area that severely requires more special education provision looks set to be delayed, affecting a dozen families.

Two new autism classes, enrolling 12 students, are due to open at Corpus Christi National School in Drumcondra, Dublin 9.

Documents submitted to Dublin City Council show that planning permission to convert an existing parish hall for education use was first submitted in February.

Further information was requested by the planning authority in April, which was responded to by the school in May.

Parents were told this week by the school that the project is now delayed.

One parent, who spoke to the Irish Examiner, said there has been no further contact since they received the letter advising of the delay. They removed their child from waiting lists from other schools once they received the offer at Corpus Christi.

“Now I have nothing to fall back on if this doesn’t go ahead,” they said.

Their child “cannot stay at home” and avail of home tutition as routine is key for them, the parent added.

The board of management of Corpus Christi National School refused to answer a series of questions put to it by the Irish Examiner. In a statement, it said: “The board of management does not wish to comment at this time.”

The Department of Education declined to provide a figure when asked by the Irish Examiner how many of the 399 sanctioned special classes for 2025 will be open in September. In a statement, a spokesperson said it is working to ensure the delivery of all required accommodation solutions for special classes.

It is expected accommodation will be in place for the start of the school year “in the vast majority of cases”, they said, adding: “Where this is not the case, the National Council for Special Education and department will support the school to put appropriate contingency arrangements in place to ensure that these classes can open while permanent accommodation is being provided.”

Reconfiguration works to provide two special education needs classrooms and two mainstream classrooms is in delivery for Corpus Christi NS, he said: “The use of the parish hall is part of the project to cater for the mainstream element of the brief. As a result, a full statutory application for change of use was warranted. A reply from the local authority is expected shortly.”