Parents want 'firm guarantee' special classes due to open in 2025 will start in September

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. File picture

Parents of children awaiting the opening of much needed new special classes, due to open in 2025, have called for a firm guarantee classes will open in or by September.

In March, Finglas Parochial National School told parents it was “highly unlikely” its two special classes would fully open in 2026, and 2027 was the more likely scenario.

The two classes were sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education in April 2025, and expected to open last September.

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.

Parents at the school have since met with special education minister Michael Moynihan and school representatives.

The group, which is working with Equality in Education Dublin North West, welcomed engagement with the minister, and the progress made since the meeting, as well as a commitment by the Department of Education to treat the delivery of the classes as a priority.

However, it called for a firm guarantee the classes would be delivered in time for the start of the next school year.

Rebekah Clarke, whose son Arlo is a student at the school, said: “We welcome the fact that the minister came out to meet us and that he has now come back with an update.

“That is important, and it happened because parents spoke out publicly about what was happening to our children, something no parent should ever have to do."

What families need now is certainty, she added.

“These classes were meant to be open already. If they are not delivered by September, the consequences for children like my son Arlo will be very serious. 

"We need a firm guarantee now, and if that is not forthcoming, parents will have no choice but to escalate again."