Laois parents 'at wits end' with lack of places in special schools and autism units

The population of Laois has grown exponentially in recent years, and the demand for places in special schools and ASD units within mainstream schools has never been higher.

Parents are desperately calling for school places for their children, with schools unable to meet the demands. According to Brian Stanley TD, there are over 30 children in Laois in need of special education, who are unable to secure places in special schools.

In November of 2024, principal of Saint Francis School in Portlaoise, John Moran, said he was refused extra classroom space despite a crisis in special needs school places in Laois. 

Pictured: Three special schools in the Midlands: St Francis School, Kolbe Special School and Offaly School of Special Education.

Referencing a letter he received from the Department of Education in response to his accommodating eight additional pupils with special needs last year, Mr Moran said the Department instructed him that this should never happen again.

"We are currently working with 19 classes, though we are just meant to have 12," Mr Moran said.

"However, instead of giving us more room, they want us to reduce three classes. We currently have a waiting list of 45 so it doesn’t add up at all.

"We need the decision to refuse our application reviewed urgently and we need the new building fast tracked as we simply cannot wait until 2027. Our population has increased hugely since 2021 and using this year as a benchmark is completely unrealistic," Mr Moran finished.

Senator Maria McCormack and Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Education, Darren O'Rourke TD, recently met with Laois parents of children with additional needs in Leinster House this week, to discuss the ongoing crisis of children being left without school places.

Pictured: Senator Maria McCormack

The parents, Audrey Norton and Elaine McCormack, shared their heart- wrenching experiences of struggling to secure suitable school placements for their children.

“The situation facing these families is heartbreaking,” Senator McCormack said.

“No parent should have to fight for the right to an education for their child, yet that is the reality families in Laois and across the country face. The government has failed to act, leaving children with additional needs without a suitable school place,
and parents feeling helpless.”

Senator McCormack has said that she wishes to highlight those families in particular, whose children have special educational needs and cannot access appropriate schooling.

Read More: Taoiseach addresses concerns of Laois parents on special needs education shortages

"The devastating impact of the ongoing shortage of school places is not to be ignored by government any longer," she said.

"Both mothers shared their struggles with me, revealing how difficult it has been to secure the education their children need.”

Senator McCormack recently tabled a motion calling for the government to guarantee school places for all children with additional needs, but the motion was rejected without clear commitments.

“This is not just a policy failure; it’s a failure of empathy. These children deserve the same chance at an education as any other child,” McCormack added. “The government must do better. Parents are crying out for support, and it’s time the
government listens.”

Laois Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley has stated in the Dail that “there are over 30  Laois children who need a place in St Francis Special School Portlaoise, but have none".

Pictured: Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley

"The right of every child to access an education system is a fundamental one and the children in Laois are no different from those anywhere else in the country," Deputy Stanley said.

"The school has 119 children with complex needs attending it and this school serves all of the county. There are 17 classes in what is a 12- classroom school. It is a newish school but it was too small the day it was built," he explained.

"The school has been promised 4 new classrooms and these are in planning at the moment, but we need a shorter-term solution. The management and staff of the school have proposed two modular classrooms be provided. There is space onsite for it. I have been there twice with the principal and members of the board of management to look at this," he said.

Deputy Stanley has argued that the shortage of places and suitable accommodation is preventing children with additional needs getting their education.

St Francis School has 12 children leaving this June but it has 45 children already accessed as being in need of attending the school.

"The maths are easy on this," the Deputy said.

Read More: Laois special schools once again excluded from therapy supports programme

"There are about 33 children who do not have a place and I have letters from them.  A letter came in this morning from Kristina about this. She cannot get her child in there," he said.

"As the Minister will be aware, if a child is not accessing school at that crucial point in their development they are missing out on education and therapy, especially if the child has special needs. The parents are at their wits’ end," he said.

"They are suffering extreme stress and worry from being told their child cannot be accommodated. The principal and staff at St Francis School do not want to turn anyone away. It breaks their heart but they have to do it. They need these extra classrooms," Deputy Stanley argued.

Read More: Government department stalling on a plea from Laois school in Portlaoise for classrooms

"I appeal to the Minister and the Minister of state to approve the two modular classrooms. There is money to do so. It is also important we consider children with special needs who are going into post primary school this September who do not have places. The lack of forward planning of previous Governments has had a huge impact," he said.

Deputy Stanley argued that there must be 'proper co-ordination with the National Council for Special Education', as otherwise, the 'fragmentation and inefficiency in the system' will cause problems.

"The bottom line is that I am asking the Minister and the Minister of State to grant the two modular classrooms for St Francis School," Deputy Stanley finished.