A mother has chained herself to the gates of the Department of Education in Athlone in a dispute over a pre-school place for her three-year-old son, who has autism.
Aaron has been given a place at a school in Ballaghmore – an astonishing 48km return journey from their home, and his mother Debbie has vowed not to relent until the Department resolves the situation.
He had previously attended Jonix Educational Services in Portlaoise under the home tuition grant, however the department is refusing to sanction the grant for another year, forcing Aaron to travel over 30 miles to attend playschool.
Jonix was due to be training new staff members in January 2016, and they expected Aaron to attend school elsewhere until then as the Department refused to intervene and help the young boy.
Speaking today Ms. Byrne stated that her son’s condition is described as severe, he is non-verbal and was making progress at Jonix where he was being taught coping skills, however the hard work done to afford him independence is now being reversed following the Departments decision.
“This is the desperate measures I am coming to, because I need to have my son reinstated in school, because no child, regardless of what their condition, or whatever their case may be, should be denied an education for almost seven weeks,” Ms Byrne said.
“I’m just devastated that I have to chain myself myself to the Department of Education, to get the justice and equality my son deserves,” she said.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education and Skills said: “In relation to this case, the department received the application for home tuition this morning, going on to say that the application is incomplete.”
“However, the application will be considered as expeditiously as possible and if further information is required to complete this consideration the parents will be contacted.”
“I expect that a decision on the application will be made early next week,” the spokesperson added.