A new report suggests Clare has just one special class for nearly 500 pupils in mainstream schools.
The findings are contained in a study from the School of Education in Trinity College.
The Trinity study shows that while Clare has a lower ratio of students to special classes than neighbouring counties of Galway and Limerick, its average ratio is still over 100 students more than the likes of Cork, Offaly and Carlow.
The report claims that special classes are not in compliance with Ireland’s obligations under the UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as special classes are considered a form of segregated provision.
Figures from the Department of Education show there were 45 special classes throughout Clare at the beginning of the academic year in September.
34 of these were in primary schools with the remainder in post primary education.
The majority of the classes here are designated as dealing with autism or disorders on the autistic spectrum.
The Trinity report acknowledges that it’s unlikely ‘a major overhaul of current provision will take place in the immediate future’.
