Dublin’s special education crisis: The movement 

In the latest installment of our in-depth campaign on the growing crisis in special education in Dublin, we spotlight two critical meetings held this month, where parents, educators and local representatives united to demand urgent action.

With mounting frustration, they shared heart-wrenching stories of the distress they face, fearing their children may be denied the fundamental right to an education.

The calls for change have never been louder as the system continues to fail those who need it most.

Call for equality in education at North Inner City Meeting 

A gathering of concerned parents, carers, and local politicians in Belvedere Youth Club in the North Inner City on Monday, March 10, highlighted the ongoing crisis in providing equal access to education for children with additional needs.   

The event, attended by a mix of local figures and community leaders, underscored the urgent need for action to address the systemic failures that have left many children in limbo.  

Organised by Niamh McDonald, the meeting called for a comprehensive, solution-driven approach to special education, stressing the importance of prioritising children’s rights to a full, inclusive education.   

McDonald’s remarks set the tone for the evening.   

“It’s time for thinking and real solutions,” she said.   

“Every child, no matter who they are, where they come from or how wealthy their parents are, has the right to an education.   

“They deserve to have a future filled with possibilities and opportunities.   

“But our Government is failing them, despite having the resources to fix this.”  

Speakers included representatives from local campaign group Side By Side, alongside prominent politicians such as Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald, Labour’s Marie Sherlock, Social Democrats’ Gary Gannon, and People Before Profit’s Eoghan Ceannabhain.   

The mood was one of frustration, with many speaking out about the barriers parents face in accessing appropriate education for their children.  

One parent shared their heart-wrenching experience in trying to secure a school place for their child: “Over the last two years, I have applied to 49 schools in the Dublin area in the hopes my child will be accepted. So far, I’ve been given 48 refusals,” they said.

The reality for many families is a constant struggle with an education system that seems ill-equipped to meet their children’s needs.  

Other parents highlighted the inadequate support offered by schools. One shared how their child was receiving just one hour of school per day due to a lack of available support.

“How is this cherishing all the children of the nation equally?” the parent asked.   

For many, the situation feels like a violation of children’s constitutional rights, with the system failing to provide the services that are not just necessary, but legally required.  

The issue of waiting lists for assessments and services was also raised.   

Parents described the drawn-out process of getting a diagnosis only to find that accessing crucial resources and support is nearly impossible.   

The meeting voiced frustration with the current focus on providing parental courses instead of direct, meaningful support for the children who need it most.  

As the evening drew to a close, there was a consensus among all those present on the need for collective action.   

Politicians from across the political spectrum, including Labour, Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit, pledged to work together in both the Dáil and local communities to advocate for change.  

A new campaign, Equality in Education, has been launched in the North Inner City. The group plans to meet with local Fine Gael TD and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohue to push for the issue to be brought to the attention of relevant ministers.  

With the commitment of both local communities and political leaders, this new campaign is determined to ensure that all children, regardless of their additional needs, receive the education they deserve.  

Shocking lack of suitable school places in Northside 

A packed room at the Kilmore Recreation Centre last Wednesday (12th) was the site of a powerful public meeting, where the local community came together to highlight the lack of suitable school places, assessments and supports for children with disabilities and additional needs in Dublin Bay North and Dublin North-West.  

The meeting was hosted by Equality in Education Dublin Bay North & Dublin North-West, with local Social Democrats Councillor Jesslyn Henry, independent councillor John Lyons, and People Before Profit councillor Conor Reddy, joining a panel of experts and parents to discuss the issue.   

Rachel Martin from Fuss Ireland, Greg Lewis, a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) and parent, as well as Councillor Jesslyn Henry, who works as an SNA herself, all shared their personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the urgent need for change.  

The gathering comes on the heels of a 24-hour sleep-out staged by parents outside the Department of Education two weeks ago, aimed at drawing attention to the severe challenges they face in securing appropriate education for their children.   

The message from parents and educators was clear: the system is failing children with additional needs.  

Local Councillor Jesslyn Henry, who works directly with children with additional needs, shared her frustrations, stating, “It’s a disgrace that we need to have this meeting at all. Parents shouldn’t have to fight for supports for their children, but at the very least, they should not have to fight for school places.”  

She went on to describe the crucial role that schools play, not just as places of education but as essential supports for families.

“As an SNA, I see the difference an appropriate school place can have on the lives of children, but also on the wider families’ lives too. Schools are not only about education—they give respite for parents, a sense of normality, and inclusion,” she said.

“That’s what tonight’s meeting is about—providing space for parents to come together so they are not alone, where they will actually be listened to.”  

Amy Keatinge, a local parent, shared her personal experience with the audience. Her daughter, Kyla Mae, who is autistic and has a diagnosis of Global Developmental Delay (GDD), has been waiting 2.5 years for her Assessment of Needs.

They only received the assessment after taking legal action.

Now, Keatinge is fighting for an appropriate school placement for her daughter, having applied to 17 schools, including early intervention classes, only to be told repeatedly that they are full.  

“We’re trying to get her a third year in preschool, but all the schools are replying to say they are full, and she hasn’t been accepted,” said Keatinge.

“Kyla Mae also hasn’t received any speech and language therapy or occupational therapy.”  

The lack of services and support, Keatinge explained, could have a detrimental impact on her daughter’s development.

“Kyla Mae needs the appropriate services, therapies, and school placement because if she doesn’t, there’s a good chance she will regress.

“I want the Government to act on their words and not fill already stressed and overloaded parents with false hope,” she added.  

Samantha O’Flanagan, Equality Officer from the NDNL SNA branch in Forsa, who works as an SNA in an autism class in Baldoyle, also voiced her concerns.

“I’ve had the privilege of seeing children thrive with the right supports and environments,” she said.

“Unfortunately, I’ve also seen the detrimental effects on children who are denied an appropriate school place.  

“These parents are doing what any parent would—fighting for their child’s rights. But they shouldn’t have to.

“The system should work for them, not be fighting against them. Every child deserves the right to an education.”  

Cllr Henry concluded with a powerful statement:

“No child should be denied their basic human rights in 2025.  

“The Department of Education and the NCSE need to come up with strategies quickly so these families are not failed again, because that’s what’s been happening since they applied for the assessment of needs, with long waiting lists and a lack of supports.”  

The public meeting highlighted a growing frustration among parents, educators, and advocates, as they call for immediate action to address the gaps in the system that continues to leave children with additional needs without the education and support they deserve.