88. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans to redesignate special schools that cater to children with mild general learning disabilities. [30858/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

I wish to ask about schools that cater for young people with mild general learning disabilities. I recently had the pleasure of visiting Scoil Eoin in Crumlin in my constituency and seeing the absolute care and love in that school for those students. I was really taken with how well they are provided with an excellent service for their education but also for their future. What will happen now with regard to this school having to broaden its admissions policy?

Sentiment score: 0.44

I accept there are children who will pass by special schools to go to other schools because there is no capacity for them in that school, whether that is because of the admissions policy or because of what they are catering for. Notwithstanding that, could we not as a country, seeing as we are quite rich, have schools that cater for mild general learning disabilities as well as schools that cater for more complex needs? Do we have to have catchall special schools? That is the phrase that is being used. Could we not have schools with expertise for those mild general learning disabilities and also schools that cater for more complex needs? I have visited these schools. My party colleague Deputy Whitmore is working very closely with New Court special school in Bray and colleagues throughout the country are working with these schools. They provide excellence in education for those students who may not have the same opportunity in mainstream schools. I fear that if those children have to go back to mainstream, they may not thrive as well as they are in special schools. I understand completely that children should not be passing schools locally and I get the Minister of State's point in that regard, but could we not have both?

Sentiment score: 0.27

To that end, could we pause that for this September so that those schools can be engaged with further by the Department and the Ministers to allow them to negotiate a timeframe for those students who are already in the school but also for students coming in? I want to make clear I do not want to delay any child getting a school place for September. That is not my intention and I know it is not the intention of any of those schools because I accept we are in dire straits for those children. However, I am fearful for those children who are thriving in those schools as to what happens if they go back to mainstream schools or if we have children who are in mainstream schools who are not coping and would not have a place to be. We cannot be experts in every aspect of education. When we have schools, which are expert at working with children and bringing them to the best of their ability educationally and socially, and all the other things that come with special schools and mainstream schools, we need to ensure that is protected.

Sentiment score: 0.21