Primary schools in Dublin 4 and 6, Booterstown, Monkstown and Dún Laoghaire are among those a list of 39 on the south side of the city that have been told to open special classes for pupils with autism. The lack of special classes for children with autism and some other conditions in mainstream primary schools in certain areas, often more affluent suburbs, has been a bone of contention. The number of special classes generally, at both primary and post-primary, has grown significantly in recent years. Legislation vesting power in the Minister for Education force schools to open special classes was enacted in 2018 this is the second time that it has been invoked. Last year Mr McHugh used the same provision of the Education Act, Section 37A, in relation to schools in Dublin 15.

Source: Irish Independent July 07, 2020 18:22 UTC