Parents protesting outside Leinster House say they’re fighting every day for basic rights for their children.

As many as 200 people are taking part in a sleepout outside the building, calling for the introduction of appropriate school places for every child with additional needs.

They also want the Department of Education to begin collecting data to understand how many children are affected by the issue.

They plan to remain there for 24 hours, in an appeal for ‘immediate and effective’ measures to tackle the crisis.

Education Minister Helen McEntee has reiterated claims the Department is doing everything it can to resolve the issue.

She has directed the National Council for Special Education to put these plans in place, as parents continue to raise concerns over gaps in services.

Waterford parents Rebecca Meehan, Roisin O’Donoghue, Connor Coady, and Danielle Cleary (pictured above) have made the trip to Dublin to make their voices heard.

The national outcry stemmed as 22 schoolchildren with additional needs remain without a place for the coming school year at St. John’s Special School.

A draw took place for the eight places the school has available this September, overseen by a local Garda Superintendent.

However, 11 new special school classes were announced for Waterford in February.

7 of the classes will be at primary level and 4 of them will be at secondary level.

WLR understands a meeting will take place later this week with the Department of Education and St. John’s to try and come to an agreement on a green field site and a capacity increase

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