A Cavan-Monaghan TD has highlighted the existing inequity suffered by smaller schools due to the difficulty they have in reaching the required enrolment threshold for special classes.
The current threshold of six pupils for a special class at primary level with one teacher and two SNAs was introduced in 1998.
Deputy Brendan Smith raised the issue this week in Dail Eireann with Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Deputy Smith says this inequity impacts severely on schools that are under the patronage of the smaller churches, as such schools generally have small enrolments.
This enrolment threshold also impacts severely on other smaller schools which, in most instances, are located in what are rural and, sometimes, remote areas.
Speaking to Northern Sound, the Fianna Fail representative said we are all aware of children having to travel too far to access special classes.
