Parents devastated as special classes for children with additional needs delayed until 2027

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026 - 19:33

Jess Casey

Delays have impacted the opening of much needed special classes — due last September — until at least 2027, leaving 12 children without "proper school places" and their parents devastated.

Finglas Parochial National School told parents this week that it is “highly unlikely” its two special classes will fully open in 2026, and that 2027 is the more likely scenario.

The pupils, who have additional needs, are currently receiving two hours of education a day at a local community hall, a measure arranged by the school to help the families as the classes were established.

The two new classes were sanctioned this time last year for the current school year. It was hoped the classes would open in March but the project was hit by planning delays.

Rebekah Clarke, whose son Arlo is a pupil at the school, said she is devastated by the news. “It's just unacceptable. I have nowhere for him to go,” she said.

The constant uncertainty has made it incredibly hard to plan, she added. "Routines have been disrupted, work has been affected, and we still don’t know when our children will finally get the proper school place they deserve.”

Temporary measure

The pupils technically have ‘school places’ as they are enrolled in the school. However, the use of the local hall was always a temporary measure and not suitable for the children in the long term.

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“I was under the impression it would be six months in the hall and its now looking like the rest of the year, and he has nothing else for September. It's not the school’s fault, it's the people above them,” she said.

“The teachers and the principal are amazing. They make a temporary classroom every day, they have to tidy up the classroom, and come in early to set it back up again for the kids.”

Arlo started at the school last October and it was a difficult transition, she said.

"I can’t do this again, my mental health was in the bin in October.

I was out of work for four weeks. I couldn’t come to terms with the fact my child had nowhere to go.

Leanne Roche, whose son Logan requires an autism class, said the delay means her son may not start school until he is eight years old. "Most children his age will be in second class, preparing for their first communion. There is no excuse good enough to justify what has happened here. Logan and his classmates have been failed totally and at every turn."

Equality in Education, which is supporting the affected families, said the classes were sanctioned the day before it held sleepouts at the Department of Education last year to protest the lack of appropriate school places for children with additional needs.

'Not a proper school place'

Rachel Lowry, co-founder of Equality in Education Dublin North West, said: “Two hours a day in a community hall is not a proper school place. These children deserve the same chance at education as every other child. The department must now urgently set out how these classrooms will be delivered this year."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the project will be delivered as quickly as possible after receipt of planning permission and with the support of project managers. Where modular accommodation is required, it is being fast tracked, she added.

"In the meantime the school concerned, who have been sanctioned teachers, SNAs, and have availed of the necessary training to support the opening of the classes, will be supported by the NCSE in any contingency arrangements which may be required pending the delivery of the accommodation.

"In many cases these schools have spaces which can be used to support the contingency arrangements including general purpose rooms so it can be expected that they will be able to support children during this period."