School Admissions
Dail Éireann — 2026-01-21
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Paula Butterly (FG), Louth

I truly thank the Minister of State for the reply and look forward to a proactive approach from the NCSE and local SENOs to finding a solution to those individual cases. As the Minister of State said, anxiety is being caused to families by so many issues. If we can alleviate it and make sure these children, who are very special, have the right structures in place, are not delayed any further and get their places in September, that will be a huge achievement for the child and the family.
On Monday, I visited St. Ita's Special School in Drogheda, which has been in existence for over 60 years. I looked at the design for the new build it will share with St. Mary's. It is truly extraordinary but it struck me that before the build is complete, it will already be at capacity, which shows the extraordinary need that exists. I acknowledge all the work being done in the Minister of State's Department to get more resources and places on line. It goes to show we cannot keep up with the need and demand that is there.
When I spoke to Miceál, the principal of St. Ita's, he made another point. He said that while everybody accepts the portal and the process being followed in order to meet demand, every time a child applies for a place in St. Ita's, the parents and child are invited into the school months before they are supposed to start. The piece of paper will say one thing - it may be an indication of the need for a special school or additional supports - but nothing will replace the knowledge and experience of a teacher or principal. We have to find a way to maintain the collaboration of the principals and teachers who are involved in this process. We need to get it right first time and make sure that when a child goes to a new school, it is the right fit. There is nothing more disturbing for a child than being in a place they do not belong.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-01-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-31T01:00:51+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-01-21