Sinn Féin TD Conor D. McGuinness has welcomed news that St. John’s Special School in Dungarvan will have additional space from September. The Dungarvan-based representative commended the parents on their campaign, and highlighted the role played by the team at St. John’s in working with stakeholders to find a solution. He raised the matter with the Minister for Education Helen McEntee in the Dáil yesterday afternoon. Two new special education classrooms will be provided at St. John’s thanks to a transfer of adjacent land from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
McGuinness said:
“This progress is very welcome, and it is a testament to the unwavering campaign by parents of children with special needs, and also the determination of the team at St. John’s to provide additional places within the school. I want to pay tribute to the mams and dads that made it impossible for Government to continue ignoring this issue.
“I raised this issue with the Minister for Education in the Dáil yesterday and I made the point that while positive announcements are very welcome she needs to ensure that delivery takes place. The Minister, her Department and the National Council on Special Education need to move mountains to get modular units in situ, and to ensure that staff are in place.
“All children have a right to an appropriate education and I am awaiting confirmation from Minister McEntee and the NCSE that come September all children waiting for a place at St. John’s will be accommodated in an setting suitable to their needs. Huge credit must go to principals, staff, patrons and school boards in both St. John’s and St. Mary’s for their work in arriving at a solution.
“Ultimately we need to see a significant increase in special education capacity across Waterford City and County – that means extra special classes in mainstream schools and the expansion of special school places through the development of a new campus for St. John’s.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 