(Ireland) Baldoyle: Call for 2 more autism classes to meet children's needs

Jan 28, 2026, Dublin Gazette: Calls for better autism supports

https://dublingazette.com/main-feature-dg/stapolineducate-school-autism/ 

Staff at Stapolin Educate Together National School (ETNS) in Baldoyle have expressed their disappointment over a proposed solution to their campaign for additional autism classes, writes Jo Kenny.

Stapolin ETNS launched a public campaign last year calling for two additional autism classes to meet the needs of the children in their school and local community. They currently have two autism classes but have identified the need for two additional classes. 

The school has eight children in its mainstream with eligibility letters from the NCSE which is meant to guarantee them an appropriate school place, with a further 30 children in their immediate catchment area on a waiting list.

Principal Clodagh Farrell said the school has been advised that the two requested special classes can be sanctioned in principle, but without the classrooms needed to make this a reality. 

“Essentially we can have the staff but we would have to make do with whatever bit of space we can convert around the school,” said Principal Farrell.

“No school would ever be told to open two mainstream classes and just figure out the space. No principal would be expected to place mainstream children in a toilet, a corridor, or a former cleaning cupboard, yet this is precisely what is being normalised when it comes to autistic children.  . . .

The principal highlighted that there is no additional space or unused classrooms in the school. 

“We’ve already converted what little free space we once had into SET rooms and regulation areas. The department is fully aware that modular accommodation is required if these additional autism classes are to open. 

“Without modular classrooms, it is simply not possible to provide these children with an appropriate school place.”

“In Stapolin ETNS, we’re extremely focused on implementing the recommendations of the NCSE Relate document. This reinforces the concept of Regulation First and a rights-based approach – what is being proposed is in direct contrast to this”.

Staff in Stapolin ETNS believe that approving classes without providing appropriate accommodation creates a dangerous illusion of progress while leaving schools to absorb the consequences.

“We’re repeatedly told that there is a commitment to inclusion, to equality, to meeting needs. But that’s not the reality,” said Samantha O’Flanagan, Special Needs Assistant.