School Admission Policies Audit Confirms Anecdotal Reports – INCLUSION IRELAND

 Inclusion Ireland is seriously concerned at the results of a Department of Education audit of admission policies that revealed many schools are restricting admission to children with special needs. CEO Deirdre Carroll CEO says “it confirms anecdotal reports we receive from parents of children with intellectual disability with special educational needs”. 

 “More and more parents want their children to attend their local primary school and the results of a recent poll show the public believe children with an intellectual disability have the right to attend their local school.”   

A recent Inclusion Ireland commissioned poll* showed that 88% of those polled believe children with an intellectual disability have the right to attend their local primary school and 86% believe they have the right to attend their local secondary school.  

Speaking at the recent Inclusion Ireland AGM, outgoing Chairperson Finula Garrahy discussed reports that some schools are failing to enrol what is described ‘as their fair share of children with special educational needs’.   

“It sounded to me as if it was a game of ‘pass the parcel’ hoping that it would not fall to them. If a child is not welcomed in a school, then it will never be a positive or fruitful experience for them.” 

However, Deirdre Carroll says “it must be acknowledged that schools are not receiving the resources and supports that these children require and teachers and special needs assistants require specific training. The problem is much more difficult when the child leaves primary school. The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 gives the right to children with special needs to attend mainstream schools. Clearly this is not happening equally across the country.”       

*Note: The nationally representative poll of 1,000 adults aged 15+ was conducted by Behaviour (no s) & Attitudes Marketing Research via telephone in March 2008 and fully adhered to ESOMAR guidelines.

CLICK HERE for poll results

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