(Ireland) Documentary reveals "shocking scenes" of special needs neglect
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was pressed over Ireland’s special education crisis within 24 hours of the release of Eric Roberts' hard-hitting documentary, 'Crisis in the Classroom'.
The Taoiseach was challenged over some of the disturbing conditions exposed in the programme.
The programme saw Eric visiting Stapolin Educate Together in Dublin, where increasing demand has forced staff to convert cupboards, stairwells and former bathrooms into learning spaces and regulation rooms for children with additional needs.
Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan told the Taoiseach that the Virgin Media documentary had left “serious questions” for the Government to answer.
“How can the Government stand over children with additional needs being educated in a storage cupboard? How can it stand over children in distress being sent to a converted toilet to regulate? How on earth could this be allowed to happen?”
The school's principal Clodagh Farrell and SNA Samantha O’Flanagan, who featured in Eric’s documentary, were present in the Dáil Public Gallery as the issue was put directly to the Taoiseach.
Deputy O’Callaghan said the Government could not simply condemn what viewers had seen when schools were being told to make use of every available space.
Mr Martin said he had not watched the documentary the previous night, but said he did not accept children being educated in such settings.
“There is no excuse for, and I do not accept in any way, any child being in a cupboard, a stairwell or whatever,” he told the Dáil.
The Taoiseach said there had been a major expansion in special education provision in recent years and pointed to increases in special classes, staffing and overall investment.
He said around 34,000 pupils are now enrolled in special classes and special schools and that 587 new special classes opened at the beginning of this school year.
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