Taoiseach-backed special schools model 'not working for many children', parents say

Parents from Carrigaline Community Special School (pictured) and Belmayne Community Special School have raised issues about the level of available supports for their children, and the impact this model has had on their education. Picture: Chani Anderson

The new model for State-funded special schools, backed by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, is not working for the benefit of many children, concerned parents have warned.

A group of parents, whose children attend two recently established Community Special Schools, which both opened quickly and without the adequate resources fully in place, are to take their concerns to TDs in Leinster House today.

Parents from Carrigaline Community Special School and Belmayne Community Special School have raised issues about the level of available supports for their children, and the impact this model has had on their education.

Both schools were established quickly in recent years in direct response to a lack of planned school places for children with special educational needs.

Established in 2021 in Taoiseach Michael Martin’s constituency, parents of students attending the Carrigaline special school first went public with their concerns about suspensions, staffing gaps, and a lack of full-time, in-school therapies with the Irish Examiner one year ago this week.

Belmayne Community Special School, which opened in 2025, has faced similar issues in terms of resources, supports, and staffing.

Community Special Schools are State-funded special schools established under the patronage of local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The vast majority of new special schools opened across the country in recent years are Community Special Schools.

Taoiseach Michael Martin previously told the Dáil that he believes this model “is the way forward”. However, a group of parents are due to meet with TDs today to call for immediate, full-time, multi-disciplinary therapists to work directly with children attending both schools.

They are also calling for a new, HIQA-type inspection unit within the Department of Education to carry out spot checks and planned inspections, with statutory powers attached to their recommendations.

The group is seeking an immediate overhaul of the vetting and appointment system to safeguard children and disqualify those with a track record in exclusion and those who have Tusla findings of concern against them.

The parents want the introduction of standardisation across special schools in terms of policies and practice, with an emphasis on inclusion and standards set by experts in the field.

Niamh O’Grady, whose child attends Carrigaline Community Special School, said it appears the Taoiseach “would rather sweep it under the carpet and ignore the bank of evidence that this model for special schools is not working for the benefit of many children".

Ms O'Grady said the current model is "far from what it should and could be".

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“The committed staff deserve and need support to help the children, such as full-time behavioural therapy as well as a full-time, multi-disciplinary therapy team.

"Our children have never had the therapy they deserve, and they do not deserve to be suspended for behaviours innate to their disabilities, nor do parents deserve to be phoned and pressurised to collect their children early.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said the number of children receiving special educational supports has grown from 70,000 to 250,000 in the last 10 years.

“While this expansion has brought challenges, significant progress has been made in increasing capacity across the education system and we will continue to work closely with children, parents, principals, teachers and SNAs to ensure that every child and young person receive the education support and opportunities they deserve," the spokesperson said.

Recent inspections in special schools have focused on how “special schools support children and young people’s regulation and behaviour”.

• Jess Casey, education correspondent