Mattie McGrath warns of severe school-place shortage

Mattie McGrath spoke about a severe shortage of appropriate school places and criticised delays from the department, calling for immediate action. He outlined cases of children unable to get places, schools offering ASD units facing obstacles, and an overcrowded Scolieng waiting for extra accommodation.

Shortage of school places

There is a huge shortage of appropriate school places, with pens scrambling for schools and families going around dozens of schools in some cases for September, he said.

ASD units and departmental delays

He said schools that have offered ASD units are meeting delays and "brick walls" from the department, preventing those units from being used to place children who need them.

Named children affected

He cited individual cases, naming Michael Barrett and Oisín Carroll as young children who deserve an education and cannot get places, and noted others currently waiting without a school place.

Pressure on Scolieng

He described Scolieng as "a wonderful institution" that is busting at the seams and waiting for additional accommodation, yet he said the department is not helping them out.

Call for action and engagement

He warned that "we have a severe severe issue and we have to grasp the nickel and do something serious about it," and closed by asking viewers to like, share and subscribe and to share their thoughts.