(Ireland) Early intervention classes being repurposed as primary school autism classes
- The end of childhood
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Jan 12, 2026, Irish Examiner: Parents raise alarm at repurposing of special classes
Re-classification of early intervention classes as autism classes is raising concerns, writes Education Correspondent Jess Case
Parents and educators have sounded the alarm over the repurposing of early intervention classes for pre-school children into autism classes in recent years.
At least 25 early intervention classes open in 2020 have since been ‘redesignated’ as primary school autism classes. Since 2023, 11 early intervention classes have been closed or repurposed into autism classes.
Early intervention classes are for children between the ages of three and five and are intended to provide early support to autistic children before they start school.
They provide more targeted support for children whose needs cannot be met through the Access and Inclusion Model (Aims) in mainstream pre-schools.
Children lack rights
Children do not have the same legal and constitutional right to access an early intervention class as they do to a primary education.
According to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), there are 163 early intervention classes across Ireland.
However, both Cork and Dublin have fewer early intervention classes in 2025 than they had in 2020.
Early intervention classes reclassified as autism classes
In Cork, seven of the early intervention classes attached to primary schools that were open in 2020 have since been reclassified as autism classes.
For the current school year, Cork has 21 early intervention classes, data from the NCSE shows; the last early intervention class in Cork to open was in 2023.
In the same year, Dublin had 23 early intervention classes.
Four of these have since been redesignated by the NCSE as autism classes.
'Alarming' re-designation
Bridgette Farrell, whose child attended an early intervention class, described the closure or repurposing of early intervention classes as “alarming”. . . .
School principal speaks out
School principal Anne-Marie Ford, who is also a Fine Gael councillor for Drogheda, said early intervention is key to getting the right support to students at the right time.
Ms Ford is the principal of Scoil Naomh Cholmcille in Louth, which has four early intervention classes.
“If we don’t get in early, especially in terms of areas of concern, it’s very, very hard to pull back,” she said. . . .
Department response
A spokesman for the Department of Education and Youth said the primary responsibility for supporting pre-school children with special educational needs lies with the Department of Children through Aims. . . .
NCSE response
A spokesman for the NCSE said the process of redesignating classes occurs when there is “a shift in local demand”, such as when an early intervention cohort “transition out and a notable need arises for primary autism class placements”. . . .
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