School places 'for all students' by September - Naughton
Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton has assured parents that there will be a school place "for all students" this September.
Asked on RTÉ's Drivetime if that was a cast-iron guarantee, the minister said: "Yes - it may not be where they want it, but the assurance is there.
"I have a duty to ensure that every pupil, student, has a school place this coming September, and that's the work that we're doing at the moment."
Ms Naughton said that "inclusive special classes" are already operating in schools across Ireland and are "working really well."
The minister said this was why schools had asked her Department to "formalise" this.
She said a "traditional special class" has six students, one teacher and two Special Needs Assistants.
"These inclusive special classes are reflecting the really good practice that's happening on the ground."
Ms Naughton said schools "want an ability to be able to give certain students access to a special class throughout the day where they can go and regulate, where they may just need a break and have access to that special education teacher, SNAs, where they can go to school with their peers, learn with them".
"And if they need to take time out during the school day, they'll have access to the space classroom," she added.
Asked why she did not consult the representative bodies before proceeding with this, the minister said: "These inclusive classes are already happening, they're already in place across the country.
"This has grown organically within our schools, the joint managerial body which represents our post-primary schools, secondary schools, have welcomed this."
Ms Naughton said that through these inclusive classes, she is "giving these schools more resources - an extra teacher, an extra two SNAs, €30,000 start-up grant".
"And we are constantly engaging with advocacy groups."
She said she understands "if there are concerns," and that her Department met advocacy groups yesterday and Minister of State Michael Moynihan will meet the groups again next week.
"This is all about inclusive education and I can hear concerns but I have not heard anybody say that this is the wrong thing to do.
"I am led by educators, by teachers as well who are on the ground who are telling me this is working really well," Ms Naughton said.
