Collins welcome new special needs classes

Fine Gael TD Áine Collins for Cork North West has welcomed today’s announcement by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) that 118 new classes for children with special needs are opening in schools across the country this month. These new classes will cater for over 700 children with special needs in 113 mainstream primary and post primary schools around the country.

  “I’m delighted that these new classes for children with special needs will be opened at Liscarroll School in my constituency of Cork North West.

  “All parents want the best possible education and care for their children, so having this extra support for children with learning difficulties is so important for the children concerned and their families.

  “The opening of these classes will help create an improved and more inclusive learning environment for children with special needs. I believe that this will make the overall experience of school less challenging and more enjoyable for these children.

  “These classes have lower pupil-teacher ratios than mainstream classes, ranging from one teacher for six pupils to one teacher for eleven pupils. The new classes will be welcomed by parents of children with special education needs and will mean that fewer children with special educational needs have to travel long distances to schools.

  “This Government has now increased the availability of special classes by 50% since it was elected in 2011. 33 such classes were created in 2011, and 91 were created last year. The additional 118 classes opening this month means that 242 special classes have been created during the lifetime of this Government.

  “I am also delighted with the publication of the NCSE booklet which provides useful information for parents when making decisions about where to enrol their child with special educational needs. The booklet provides information on what supports are available in schools and identifies some key issues to guide and assist parents in their decision making.”