Carrick-on-Suir to get dedicated primary school class for children with autism, TD is informed

A new Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) class for primary school children is to be opened at Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire for the 2023/2024 academic year. a Tipperary TD has been informed. 

The news will be welcomed by parents of young children with ASD living in Carrick-on-Suir who have found it very difficult to secure primary school places for their children. 

Primary school age children from Carrick with ASD currently have to travel to schools in communities like Mooncoin, Piltown and Portlaw that have dedicated ASD classes. 

The decision to set up an ASD class in Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire was confirmed to Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne in a response to a Parliamentary Question he tabled on the issue this week. 

He is one of several local politicians to make representations over the past 18 months on behalf of parents in Carrick-on-Suir who have struggled over recent years to acquire an ASD class for their children.

Deputy Browne said: “I was delighted to receive confirmation that the efforts of the local community have finally borne
fruit. After making continued representations, I have been told that Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire is
scheduled to open a new ASD class. It is planned to open for the 2023/2024 school year.

“It’s expected that this class will provide an additional 6 special class places for the area.

“This is great news, and will hopefully come as a relief to the families who have campaigned for
more ASD classes for Carrick on Suir over recent years.

“The steadfast campaigning of parents and teachers in Carrick on Suir have made this happen," he continued. 

“I would also like to acknowledge the work done by Gaelscoil Charraig na Siúire to make this possible.

“Since becoming a TD I have raised concerns of parents locally with An Taoiseach, with the Minister
for Education and with the Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion.

Carrick-on-Suir Sinn Féin Cllr David Dunne has also welcomed the news. 

“To receive this news is a great achievement for the area. For too long parents have had to deal
with the anxiety of trying to secure a place in a nearby ASD class.

“But they spoke up, the Gaelscoil stepped up, and finally their demands have been taken on board.

“I’d like to compliment everybody involved in this achievement, and look forward to more services
coming to the area in the future," he added.