‘Our autistic kids have no school to go to in Youghal’

The parents of autistic children in Youghal have appealed for suitable secondary level classes in their community.

Neasa Ormonde, whose 10-year-old son Jack is autistic, is a founder member of Bridging The Gap, a group made up of the parents of four autistic children. The children range in age from five to 11 and all attend primary school in Bunscoil Mhuire in Youghal.

Ms Ormonde said the closest secondary schools which could cater for their children — if spaces were available — are in Dungarvan, a half-hour drive away, or in Carrigtwohill, at least a 40-minute drive.

“Our kids are autistic, why is it that they have to leave our community to go to school?

“I need to be on standby for Jack, but I can’t do that if he’s in another community,” she said.

Ms Ormonde said she and the other parents had met with Michael Moynihan, minister of state at the Department of Education, and were asking for ASD (autism spectrum disorder) classes of the same level currently available at primary school to be made available at secondary level in Youghal.

Social Democrats TD for Cork East, Liam Quaide, said the group had met with Mr Moynihan and made a compelling case for a secondary level special education school in Youghal. He said the response the parents had received from the department to date had not engaged with the substance of their case.

“This involves competing for school places in Dungarvan or Carrigtwohill, which are already oversubscribed, and likely having to drive their children daily as far as Cork city or Waterford city — a clear breach of the rights of disabled people,” Mr Quaide said.

Mr Moynihan told The Echo he had engaged “very sincerely” with the families.

“It is something that I am studying and reflecting on very carefully,” he said.

“I do take the very genuine concerns that the people I met had, and I am reflecting on it extremely carefully.”