'Brick walls and closed doors' for Laois parents of special needs children, says councillor

Portlaoise parents of children with special needs are facing 'brick walls and closed doors,' according to independent councillor Tommy Mulligan.

This is due to the news that there are 13 Portlaoise students with special needs starting their first year of secondary school next year, with only four places in ASD units available.

Cllr Mulligan recently tabled a motion that Laois County Council 'acknowledge the acute shortage of enrolment places in Portlaoise Secondary Schools for children with special needs, and seek a meeting with the Minister of Education to address this urgent issue and alleviate these concerns".

This motion was supported by all councillors within the Portlaoise MD, with the intention of asking Laois TDs Sean Fleming, Charlie Flanagan and Brian Stanley to write a letter encouraging a meeting with the Minister.

"There are currently 13 children in Portlaoise with special needs who need places within units in secondary schools," said Cllr Mulligan.

"Mainstream isn't always an option for these children, some of them may never have fully integrated into a mainstream classroom before," he said.

Pictured: There is currently only 4 places in secondary schools within Portlaoise town for 13 students with special needs, according to Cllr Tommy Mulligan.

"Deciding what secondary school to attend is something very exciting for 12-13 year olds, but I know that many of these children won't have a choice in where they go this year."

There are currently seven children due to leave the ASD unit in Scoil Bhríde Portlaoise, four children are leaving the ASD unit in Holy Family, and two children are leaving the ASD unit in Educate Together. 

Presently, these are only two secondary schools in Portlaoise town that have places in ASD units available. There are two places in CBS, two places in Scoil Chríost Rí, with zero places available in Portlaoise College and Dunamase College.

"Realistically these four spaces might be non existent," argued Cllr Mulligan.

"There may be students in CBS or Scoil Chriost Rí that are in mainstream education, but may be referred to an autism unit in the school.

"If parents of students within the schools have this option, they will get priority. at best, there will be 4 places available for 13 children, but probably 0 places available for 13 children. I'm not including the students in schools in surrounding areas like Ballyroan, Shanahoe, Raheen, Abbeyleix and Stradbally. 

"We have a chronic shortage of secondary school places for a cohort of students due to complete primary school at the end of this year. I suggest a meeting with Minister Education Norma Foley," Cllr Mulligan said.

"This is a huge stress and a constant worry.  Some parents who have contacted me couldn't come today as they said it would be too emotive, and that they would get upset. They are absolutely heartbroken, and they are meeting brick walls and closed doors every where they come," he continued.

"I'm asking Laois County Council to acknowledge that this is a crisis situation and to try seek a meeting with the Minister for Education. Can we get clarity around the provisional places in September 2025, can we get clarity for parents around options available where post primary special classes are unavailable, because there are no options. 

"I would ask that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil councillors use their influence with TDs and Government ministers to address this urgent issue and alleviate these concerns," Cllr Mulligan finished.

This motion was seconded by Fine Gael councillor Catherine Fitzgerald.

"I fully support this motion, parents have already had to fight tooth and nail for their children, and thankfully this situation has improved in primary schools," said Cllr Fitzgerald.

"I think it's not right that parents have to be here today, this issue should have been planned for. The sooner we can meet the minister to put the case forward, the better," she said.

Ballyroan Fine Gael Cllr Barry Walsh also gave his support to this motion, requesting clarity for all Laois secondary schools, not just Portlaoise.

"I fully support the motion- I know from experience in Heywood that there's a shortage there too," said Cllr Walsh.

"With Cllr Mulligan's permission, I would put forward that we change the motion to include all secondary schools in Laois. I know that there have been changes with primary school levels, they are currently under review. There are always younger kids coming up, and it's an ongoing issue. Cllr Walsh finished.

Fianna Fáil Councillor John Joe Fennelly supported this motion.

"We have raised this on so many occasions, i think I had a notice of motion on it last year myself. I can't understand, when they know the amount of people who are attending special schools around the county, why someone in the Department won't acknowledge what is needed down the line.

"A few weeks ago we had four units in Scoil Mhuire alone, I think it's up to 24 students now. I just can't understand why someone won't see what is needed, it should be there and it's not. I feel sorry for the parents, the children and the teachers," he finished.

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley supported the motion, labelling it 'the biggest issue that consistently comes up at doors'. 

"I want to fully support the motion, I think it's the single biggest issue that has come up consistently on the doors over the last ten years," Cllr Dwane Stanley said.

"I do know that the ETB schools have been trying to address this issue while waiting on the new ASD units as well. There is a huge demand there and I want to put my weight behind it and fully support it," she said.

Caothairleach Cllr Willie Aird supported this motion, calling for a meeting with the Minister for Education.

"I would like to support the motion as well," said Cllr Aird.

"For the parents of all of these children, trying to get their children into schools has been like pushing water up a hill. It's no different this year, it is actually worse. We won't get a meeting with the Minister for Education unless we include the three TDs for Laois. So I propose that we write to the three TDs and ask them to arrange a meeting ASAP," Cllr Aird finished.

This motion was tabled at the October sitting of the Portlaoise Municipal District.