Special ed minister visits local schools to see what’s needed

MINISTER of state for special education and inclusion Michael Moynihan recently visited primary and secondary schools in Co Carlow alongside Carlow TDs, where he was shown the issues facing local schools in relation to special education classes and facilities.

The visit was organised by fellow Fianna Fáil member and local TD Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, with Fine Gael’s Catherine Callghan also in attendance.

During the visit, minister Moynihan was brought to Knockbeg College, St Mary’s Academy CBS, Carlow National School, Scoil Mhuire Lourdes and Scoil Phadraig Naofa, where he met staff, students and board members from the different schools.

Principal of Scoil Naofa Phadraig in Tullow, Rory Healy, welcomed the visit and said it was an important opportunity for the minister of state to see the facilities of the school firsthand.

“Seeing the school in person gave him a far deeper understanding of the realities and practical requirements than any written submission could,” he said. “I applaud deputy Moynihan for coming and deputy Murnane O’Connor for encouraging the visit to happen, and it’s clear deputy Moynihan cares about the establishment of special classes under his watch.” 

Scoil Phadraig Naofa has been sanctioned funding to open two special classes for autistic children, with each class able to accommodate six pupils.

“The classes have been established and the children who will attend it have been offered places, but we are just waiting for the department to commit to the full and required amount of funding to progress in the building,” Mr Healy added.

The need for special education funding is particularly important for primary schools in Tullow, as there are currently no special education classrooms in the town.

Fine Gael TD for Carlow/Kilkenny Catherine Callaghan, who was also part of the visit, said that while there are promising signs in relation to special education facilities, the issue in Tullow needs to be resolved.

“We need to ensure that we provide adequate service and accommodation for the children of Tullow with additional needs, who are currently getting in cars and buses and going for their education to schools and communities outside of Tullow, and that is putting pressure on parents and also creating pinch points elsewhere,” she said.

“If we could ensure that the Department of Education give the money that is required for Rory and the boys school in Tullow, then we’re at least one step further along.

“Parents are absolutely exhausted having to fight all the time for services. It is wholly unfair, and we need to do better as a country, and that’s what I’m firmly focused on.”