I have a special needs son and I will do all I can for parents

Minister for Special Education outlines his plans for

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I DESPERATELY understand the plight of parents talking about their child who is 5 or 6 and they're looking for a place and don't know whether they'll be going to school.

There's that fear that there won't be any. Last year, a number of children ended up with no places, and there are complex issues around these cases.

In the last couple of months, there have been a lot of protests by parents.

I understand their fears and anxieties.

I am the parent of an autistic child as well, who is going to an autistic class. My son Paddy is 10 and going to a special class in Liscarroll National school, which has a fantastic school community. I could not say enough about them.

When I was appointed to this role, I didn't need to read the brief - I understand it already.

The good news is there has been a huge amount of work to address these challenges.

ENGAGE

We have 400 new special classes this coming school year.