Early intervention classes provide support for autistic children between the ages of three and five at a vital developmental stage.

While the number of autism classes attached to mainstream primary schools has essentially doubled since 2020, there are just 13 more early intervention classes nationwide.

In Cork, seven of the early intervention classes attached to primary schools open in 2020 have since been reclassified as autism classes. Just one new class has been added, in 2023.

Liam Quaide, Social Democrats TD for Cork East, said the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are pushing for these classes to be repurposed to meet wider demand for special classes.

“We are told, incredibly, that this is about inclusion and about meeting need," he said. "In reality, it means one essential form of educational provision being scaled back to meet need elsewhere, a classic case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

“Presenting the quiet phasing-out of early intervention classes as inclusivity is not just misleading; it is deeply cynical." 

These classes can be a vital bridge into education for children who need intensive support with communication, regulation, routine, and school-readiness, Mr Quaide said.

"An essential form of additional needs provision is being scaled back here to patch over shortages elsewhere. The figures point in the wrong direction nationally, and Cork shows the pattern clearly, with six fewer early intervention classes now than in 2020."

Sinn Féin spokesperson on education Darren O’Rourke said the closure and redesignation of early intervention preschool classes is a “deeply regressive step”.

"Parents are being left in limbo, and toddlers are losing access to specialist supports they need," he said. "The Government cannot claim to be committed to inclusive education while simultaneously dismantling the very early intervention structures that set children up for success.”

Decisions 'made carefully'

A spokeswoman for the Department of Education said the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), in collaboration with the department, may redesignate an early years class to a primary age class where is a "verified demand for increased special class provision in the locality".

She added: "While the overall number of early intervention classes continues to grow each year, the number in some counties may have reduced.

"This usually happens where the NCSE has redesignated an early intervention class as a primary special class, to support children as they move from early years into primary school.

"These decisions are made carefully, following consultation with schools and parents. Parents and schools often wish to ensure that a group of six children can remain in the same school, and redesignation allows continuity of support through an autism special class."