(Ireland) Dublin: 62 kids on waitlist for ASD classes; hundreds in country have no place

Aug 13, 2026, Sinn Féin condemns 'shameful' failure to provide school places for children with additional needs - Darren O'Rourke TD - Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Education and Youth, Darren O’Rourke TD, has strongly crticised the Government following revelations that hundreds of children with additional needs remain without a school placement for the upcoming academic year.

Teachta O’Rourke condemned the “shameful” situation which has seen one Dublin primary school record a waiting list of 62 pupils for its autism classes.

Teachta O’Rourke said:

“Hundreds of children are being denied their fundamental right to education, and parents are being driven to the brink.

“It is nothing short of shameful – in Ireland in 2026 – that children are being delayed and denied access to school solely on the basis that they have a disability.

“The Minister for Education refuses to publish updated figures for the number of children without school places, with the previous shortfall of 2,300 special educational places now long out of date. That figure did not include families who applied after last October’s deadline.

“We have schools willing and ready to expand provision, yet we have examples of the Department blocking them at every turn. Meanwhile, parents receive rejection letter after rejection letter and children remain on waiting lists. In many cases, parents are forced to take legal action to secure the most basic right for their child – access to education. It is utterly shameful from the Government.

“Parents are telling us this year is worse than ever. While the Minister insults everyone by claiming there is ‘sufficient overall capacity’. It is clear that this is a failure of will, of planning, and of decency.

“I am calling, once again, on Minister Hildegarde Naughton to immediately publish the true number of children awaiting placements and to approve the opening of all necessary special classes without delay.

“The Government can no longer hide behind outdated figures and bureaucratic excuses. Every single day that passes, more children are being failed. Children cannot wait any longer and neither should their families.”