GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT SOUGHT ON PROVISION OF PERMANENT SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR COUNTY MONAGHAN

Cavan Monaghan Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has told the Dáil that work must begin immediately on delivering a permanent special school in Co Monaghan – and assurances must be given that every child that requires a place in the special school must have access to it. In the last week, 18 families have received notification that their children will attend the new interim school in Castleblayney next September. Concerns about the suitability of the premises selected for the interim facility were recently voiced by a delegation from the SNAP or Special Needs Active Parent lobby group which met with the members of Monaghan Co Council.

Monaghan parents have also taken part in recent protests seeking assurances about the provision of permanent special school facilities which have seen overnight sleep-outs take place at the gates of Leinster House. Before the Dáil entered its Easter recess, Deputy Carthy sought assurances from Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan TD that a permanent facility would be delivered in Co Monaghan. “This time last year, we were told there was no need for a special school in Co Monaghan,” the Sinn Féin TD commented. “It took a sustained and dignified campaign by families of children with disabilities, which others and I were proud to support, to lead to the announcement that an interim special school would open in Castleblayney this coming September.

“It is critically important the Minister gives us an assurance now that families will not have to start campaigning again before the new interim school is even open to ensure sufficient capacity at that school. “Recently, parents slept outside the gates of Leinster House demanding the most basic of human rights, a school place for their child. I met them and heard horror stories of children being left behind by the Government and a failed system.

“I was particularly disturbed to hear from areas where interim schools were established many years ago on the promise of a permanent school that has yet to come, resulting in inadequate capacity in sometimes unsuitable premises. That will not be tolerated in Monaghan, just as it should not be tolerated or accepted anywhere. “The fight to deliver this school went on for far too long already. There will be 18 places in September, which I acknowledge is 18 more than last year.

“We need the plans for the permanent school to start right now. We need the Government to promise that every child who needs a place in the special…