Up to 180 new special needs classes are to be established in Irish schools this month, specifically designed to meet the needs of children with autism and other learning disabilities.

Newstalk reporter Aisling Moore visited North Kildare Educate Together School in Celbridge. The school was one of the first with a dedicated 'outreach unit' catering for twelve pupils with autism. The pupils are split into two classes of six.

The policy in the Celbridge school is rolling out now in more schools nationwide. The aim is that more children with learning disabilities such as autism will attend special classes within mainstream schools rather than being sent to special schools. Thhese children will now be going to the same school as other children from their community, as well as perhaps their own family members. This allows for greater integration and social interaction between pupils with special needs and those in the mainstream classes.

This policy does come with new challenges, such as the need for small classes and low teacher : pupil ratios. In Celbridge, however, it has proven to be a successful initiative.