There is a shortage of places for students with special needs.

The Department of Education has told six primary schools in Dublin 15 that they must provide more places for students who have special education needs. Originally, 22 schools in the area were written to with regards the lack of spaces for students with special needs. Eight schools have since been discounted from the process as they were deemed not to have necessary accommodation for increased special needs provision. The six schools concerned are: Corduff National School, Scoil Bride B, Scoil Nais Mhuire Sois, Scoil Mhuire Sen, Ladyswell National School, Mary Mother of Hope JNS. As the patron of the schools, the Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, has been instructed to provide the necessary spaces. The Archbishop now has 14 days to make representations to the department with regards the content of the letter. Minister for Education Joe McHugh said: "I am deeply conscious of the stress and anxiety facing parents and their children as we work to secure more places. It is a priority issue for the Department. “I would prefer to see children welcomed into a school without the need for legal compulsion," he added.