Dáil told of 'clear school culture' of suspensions at Cork special school

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide told the Dáil the cultural issues within the school are 'clearly at odds with the rights of children'

Kayla Henebry was suspended by Carrigaline Community Special School just weeks after the 'Irish Examiner' reported concerns being raised by parents about the pattern of suspensions.

There is a “clear school culture” of suspensions at Carrigaline Community Special School, the Dáil has heard.

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has raised concerns about the “alarming pattern of suspensions” at the school, after a further suspension there last week.

Kayla Henebry, aged 16, was suspended just weeks after the Irish Examiner reported concerns being raised by parents about the pattern of suspensions.

The school itself is based in Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s constituency and is for students aged 4-18 who have a diagnosis of autism and an intellectual disability. Questioning Mr Martin on Wednesday, Mr Quaide highlighted Kayla’s suspension and spoke of the high level of suspensions in recent months.

“Since 2022, parents have also spoken of a pattern of de facto suspensions, where they are repeatedly called to pick up their child early from school for behaviours that are intrinsic to their disabilities,” Mr Quaide said.

“Beyond the need for more therapies in the school, there’s a clear school culture that is driving the space of suspensions, de facto suspensions as well as the huge turnover of staff in the school.”

Mr Quaide said the “cultural issues” within the school are having a major impact on children and their parents. He questioned when the Department of Education would address the cultural issues within the school, saying they are “clearly at odds with the rights of children”.

“All the resources in the world will not remedy the situation until that’s addressed,” Mr Quaide added.

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In response, Mr Martin said he is on the record saying suspensions from special schools are “not a good thing”. “It’s not something I agree with, but I don’t know the specifics of each case,” Mr Martin said.

However, Mr Martin said he believed it was “problematic” to discuss the matter within the Dáil chamber, saying there are processes in place between the local education and training board, the Department of Education and the school’s board of management to resolve these situations.

The Taoiseach said he would discuss the matter again with minister for e ducation Helen McEntee, while adding he has been in touch with the local education and training board.