John Kearney

Intent: Clarity on what personnel will conduct educational assessments; To obtain guarantees that this responsibility will not fall on teachers and principals; To get a clear timeframe be defined by which the current backlog of assessments will be cleared; and a commitment that special education provision be properly resourced to ensure timely access to specialist supports for all children with additional educational needs

Details: To progress the INTO Congress Resolutions on Special Education and to discuss the new inclusive special class model.

Intent: to secure support from NCSE on the new special inclusive classes research project

Details: Support for the joint research project on new special inclusive classes

Intent: To secure a Department of Education and Youth forward planning Circular

Details: To secure and agree a Circular from the Department and other Education stakeholders on forward planning

Intent: To develop a support service through NCSE for school leaders and boards of management to support school inclusion.

Details: Annual Leadership Meeting

Intent: To initiate research on the inclusive class iniaitive

Details: IPPN meeting with NCSE re Inclusive Practice

Intent: Support for our World Autism Day / Month campaign and increased understanding of and support for addressing the barriers experienced by Autistic people in Irish society

Details: Held an event to mark World Autism Day and the launch of the Same Chance Report 2026

Intent: Ensuring the right to access autism assessment and autism specific services in health/education is strengthened in any reform of the Disability Act

Details: Engaged with relevant public officials on proposed changes to the Disability Act

Intent: Understanding of and support for the work of AsIAm and our organisation's vision and purpose

Details: Held an event to launch the AsIAm Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and invited a range of public officials

Intent: Support for the AsIAm Autism-Friendly Schools Programme and increased understanding of the barriers encountered by Autistic students

Details: Invited public officials to attend Autism-Friendly Schools events across the country

Intent: Provision of the required number of appropriate school places (mainstream, special class and special school) for Autistic children for the coming academic year::Secure a pause to proposed roll-out of 'Inclusive Special Classes'

Details: Campaigned to secure appropriate school places for every Autistic children for the 2026/27 academic year