Gaelscoil na Camóige has been operating out of prefabs for over 30 years. It is a school I know very well as my three children attended it. The building of the school building, alongside the new school for Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcáin, is progressing, and that is welcome. However, the schools were notified that the autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes will not now be built. The ASD expansion was agreed and given the go-ahead in 2024. Planning permission was in place. In January, the schools were informed by the Department that they had broken their agreement on the ASD classes. The school is due to open in September. This is unacceptable. Gaelscoil na Camóige is moving to a two-stream intake this year. It projects that it will be up to full capacity in three years' time. The Department might save €2 million today, but it is going to cost a hell of lot more in years to come. No doubt, I will be back here and arguing the same case. I ask that a common-sense solution is found so that our most vulnerable children can have their educational needs met.

Sentiment score: -0.09