Parents to stage another 24-hour sleep out at Leinster House over lack of suitable special education school placements

In a final effort to draw urgent attention to the ongoing crisis in special education, this Wednesday (2nd) a group of over 200 parents of children without suitable school placements will stage another 24-hour sleep out, this time at Leinster House.  

Following a recent meeting with Ministers McEntee and Moynihan as well as National Council for Special Education (NCSE) CEO John Kearney, parents concerns remain. 

Both Ministers reiterated their intention that all children known to the NCSE would have “an offer of a school place for September” but stopped short of a guarantee. 

During a meeting with parents on Wed 26th March, CEO John Kearney confirmed that the NCSE do not have an official figure of children without school places. 

He could only confirm that 3,200 parents had notified the NCSE of their need for an AEN place by February 2025. 

 Additionally, Mr Kearney confirmed that there is no mechanism in place to track children currently in inappropriate settings. 

 Therefore, the true demand for AEN school places remains unknown. 

 While parents appreciate new class sanctions announced by Ministers of late, they say transparency and accountability are key. 

 “When I read a recent list of new classes, I was so upset” said one protesting parent, “ I noticed several listed had been sanctioned in 2024 but had never opened. 

 “I am tired of having my hopes dashed. My child deserves to start school like any other child”. 

 The protest aims to: 

Shine a light on the critical shortage of suitable AEN school places for all identified children 

Urge the Department of Education to implement immediate and effective measures to address the gaps in support including accurate data collection mechanisms 

Demand transparency and accountability in the allocation of resources to special education 

Engage with all stakeholders in an effort to streamline and enhance processes such as admissions 

The sleep out will continue for 24 hours, with parents remaining at the Leinster House overnight to ensure their voices are heard and that the plight of their children is not ignored any longer.