Taoiseach rejects claims he is ‘sweeping’ community special school problems under carpet

The Taoiseach said the State needs to become more directly involved in special education as parents raise concerns about supports

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has rejected parents’ claims that he is trying to “sweep” problems at community special schools under the carpet.

As reported by the Irish Examiner, parents from Carrigaline Community Special School and Belmayne Community Special School have raised for their children and the impact this model has had on their education.

As reported by the Irish Examiner, 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 of the model 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.

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

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”.

Mr Martin told the Irish Examiner in New York that while there have been “teething issues”, the model is working.

“I don't accept those criticisms,” the Taoiseach said.

“When we established the Carrigaline Community School model under the auspices of the Education Training Board (ETB), we did so deliberately and with an eye on the future, because the State has to get more involved directly in the provision of special education. I think the ETBs have a key role in the future in special education.

“Quite a number of parents have been pleased with the journey that their children have had in Carrigaline Special school.”

‘Huge problem’ finding school places

Mr Martin argued that before the school was opened, there was a “huge problem” with getting school places for children with additional needs.

He said that the number of special schools across the country has increased and has been “transformational”.

He acknowledged that there had been “teething issues” with the Carrigaline school.

Parents at the school also called for immediate, full-time, multidisciplinary therapists to work directly with children attending both Carrigaline Community Special School and Belmayne Community Special School.

The Taoiseach added that the Government has already decided to roll out school-based therapy services in special schools.

“Recruitment has been underway for quite some time to recruit therapists to special schools,” he added.