Laois candidate challenges lack of funds for autism supports in Laois schools

Aontú’s Candidate for Laois, Ms Mary Hand, has today queried whether approved funding for special education ASD units in Laois secondary schools has now been paused.

With a background in teaching, Ms Hand revealed that Aontú party leader Deputy Peadar Tóibín has written to the Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister Hildegarde Naughton for immediate clarification.

“This is an incredibly serious matter," said Ms Hand.

"Schools throughout Co. Laois are oversubscribed as it is with lengthy waiting lists, so any reduction in funding would be hugely problematic," she said.

“We want immediate clarification from the Ministers involved as the stress and worry this uncertainly is causing parents and teachers is dreadful. We want a solid answer as to the numbers of special education ASD units in Laois schools that have been put on hold, and how many students this will impact," the candidate stressed.

Pictured: Aontú candidate Mary Hand and Party Leader Peadar Tóibín

“We need to know where any such funding for these units has been paused or in other cases withdrawn, the reasoning behind any such pause, and the total amount of funding which had been sanctioned for each unit at each school, together with the amount of any funding which may have been withdrawn from special education in Laois," Ms Hand said.

“Parents are desperately worried and are anxious to get an update and a response to all of the questions we have raised. 

“This sadly may not be an isolated incident for Laois and we want to know if there are any other special education units or schools in other counties which have had funding paused or withdrawn and if so, we want to know the reasoning for this," Ms Hand finished.

Principal of Heywood Community School, Mr Eamon Jackman said that the school's ASD units are 'oversubscribed'.

"We have a long waiting list for students to our special classes, we held individual meetings with all applicant families last week and they are incredibly concerned," said Mr Jackman.

"Our wish would be to give all our applicants access to our special classes next September, but we are unable to. These students need the specialised care and attention of a special class, as recommended by their educational assessment reports," he said.

"It does appear that Laois is one of many pinch points for accessing Special Classes in Post Primary, and a coherent plan is necessary to allow families the certainty of knowing if/where their child will attend secondary school," Principal Jackman finished.