Cork primary school blocked from opening special classes for its 20 autistic students

Scoil Eoin in Ballincollig was told by the Department of Education it would not be possible to provide accommodation for a class unless large amounts of the current building were demolished, which it was not in a position to fund

Cork North-Central TD Padraig O'Sullivan: 'What really irks me about this specific case in Ballincollig is that this school is ready, willing and able to provide a class for its 20 or so students with an autism diagnosis.' Picture: Larry Cummins

A Cork primary school that is "ready, willing and able" to open an autism class is being blocked from doing so, despite having more than 20 students with a diagnosis.

Scoil Eoin in Ballincollig does not have an autism class, despite its efforts to open one.

The school sanctioned three classes by the Department of Education in 2021.

However, it was told last summer that as it is at maximum capacity, it would not be possible to provide accommodation for a class, unless large amounts of the current building are demolished.

The Department of Education said it was not in a position to fund the "significant" demolition required.

The school has had numerous meetings with the department officials, according to Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-Central Pádraig O'Sullivan.

The school has commissioned its own engineer's report, which identified issues with access and subsidence, which means it needs to be demolished anyway, Mr O’Sullivan told the Dáil.

“What really irks me about this specific case in Ballincollig is that this school is ready, willing and able to provide a class for its 20 or so students with an autism diagnosis," he said.

In January, the department told Mr O’Sullivan and the school’s board of management another school in the planning area had been identified as having suitable capacity for providing ASD classes.

“Ultimately, the department has said to the board of management in that letter that we’ve identified an ASD class that can go to another school.” 

The next question is, what do we with the 20 kids in Scoil Eoin? Are we saying to them and their parents that they can transfer to another school?

In response, Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan said he would engage with the school authorities on the matter.

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"I am led to believe that there was some further engagement in relation to this. I am quite happy to engage with [Pádraig O'Sullivan] and with the school to see is there anything further we can do."

"I'm not giving any commitments, but I will certainly engage with you and the school authorities."