Parents are protesting outside the Department of Education, demanding action after their children with special needs were denied school placements for another consecutive year. At least 118 students with additional needs, including those with autism or other disabilities, have reportedly not received any offer for a school place, whether in mainstream schools, special schools, or autism-specific classes.
This protest, which includes a 24-hour sleep-out, aims to draw attention to the ongoing crisis, with parents expressing frustration over repeated unmet promises. One of the lead protesters, Charlotte Cahill from Tallaght, has been advocating for her daughter Cyra to secure a school place for several years. Despite attending preschool for three years, Cyra has once again been left without an offer for the coming school year.
According to Cahill, the crisis affects both primary and secondary students. She reports that 32 secondary school students are without placements, while more than 70 primary school students are still waiting for a place. Additionally, 20 students are currently in inappropriate placements, including children placed in mainstream schools without adequate support or in autism classes when they should be in special schools.
The protest highlights a growing national issue, with families affected not only in Dublin but also across cities like Waterford, Cork, Limerick, and Kilkenny. Many parents are calling for a direct meeting with Helen McEntee, the Minister for Education, to demand concrete timelines and solutions for these children.
Cahill, who had met with previous ministers as part of the D15 Campaign (which was established after children were denied school places in 2023), expressed frustration at continued promises without action. “We were promised school places, but many children from last year and even earlier are still without them,” she told the Irish Examiner.
For many families, the consequences of this issue are severe. Cahill described the harm caused to her daughter, noting that without proper schooling, Cyra displays self-injurious behaviors. “When she’s not in school, she has the most severe self-injurious behaviors,” Cahill said, highlighting the urgency of finding a resolution.
Parents are now demanding clarity from the government, hoping to get not just promises but actionable solutions and deadlines.
Department of Education Ireland Picture by Jean Housen on Wikimedia CC BY SA 3 0 and 4 0
