Extra accommodation for two special schools in Mayo approved

APPROVAL has been granted for modular accommodation in two Castlebar schools after the issue was raised in Dáil Éireann this week.

Deputy Alan Dillon has received confirmation that two modular Special Educational Needs (SEN) classrooms have been granted for St. Brid’s Special School and one SEN modular classroom for St. Anthony’s Special School, both located in Castlebar.

Deputy Dillon said he was delighted to receive confirmation from the Department of Education on Friday after he raised the issue of the shortage of special education places in the Dáil Éireann.

Referring to St. Brid’s NS, Deputy Dillon said: “Over the past number of weeks the school have had 14 or 15 enquiries for enrolment next September. At the conclusion of this last school term in June, they will have no school leavers.

“Their current enrolment is 28 pupils. Despite an additional 15 enquiries for enrolment, the school is at capacity under health and safety grounds.”

Referring to St. Anthony’s, Deputy Dillon said: “They have been allocated an additional teacher by the NCSE to cater for pupils in the school right now. The NCSE have confirmed this teacher will continue to be needed in September to allow school enrolment children with special needs who have applied for a school place in ‘23/’24 but they have run out of classroom space to accommodate the extra teacher and class group.”

Requesting a resolution to this issue, Deputy Dillon said the students are in dire need of places in these classes and these schools. “We need to act a lot more swiftly in relation to places. St. Brid’s and St. Anthony’s can’t wait any longer for this additional accommodation. It needs to be sanctioned with speed.”

Deputy Dillon said he was delighted that, having brought the issue to the attention of the Minister for Special Education, he was given confirmation that the extra classrooms will be provided by September to accommodate these students.

He commented: “I am delighted that this has been given approval. It is important to me, to the students, their parents, principals and teaching staff that this issue was given high priority.”