New Autism Class for Carrigabruise NS

Carrigabruise NS was the first of five Cavan schools visited by the Minister for Special Education, Michael Moynihan, last Friday, May 23.

Principal Úna Keogan-McDonnell and her staff showed the Minister the premises where 114 students are educated by 12 teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). On his tour, the Minister heard of the financial day-to-day struggle rural school communities face, as well through a private group meeting with principals later.

In east Cavan, focus lay on the area where the new Autism Class will open in September for the new school year, which, to date, has benefitted from State investment of €30,000. The principal didn't hold back when addressing the matters on hand: “We are very grateful for the funding for the autism class, but we have been applying for 15 years,” she said.

Ms Keogan-McDonnell, who is a special needs teacher herself, was dismayed by the fact she had seen pupils grow up in the past, who “would have been deserving of the special care” in the early stages of their childhood and couldn’t avail of any.

Having said that, it will be all hands-on-deck at the school over the next few months to get the new room and facilities ready.

The new Autism Class will be offering six students from age five to 12 years a safe, appropriate space with two additional SNAs and one teacher.

A strip of the school yard will be resurfaced with direct, easy access to their allocated room.

The school community is "very proud" of this new addition to the school, said Ms Keogan-McDonnell, in terms of becoming more inclusive.

“I can see there is great will here,” said Minister Moynihan of the “gleaming school”.

Deputy Principal Ashling Bates said all the staff had an interest in the development and in acquiring a new skillset to meet the needs of the pupils.

“The demand for children with special needs has risen; there is a lot of work to be done”, acknowledged the Minister. “Some people wouldn’t feel confident offering this to students; they need special training, it is a pile of work.”

He thanked the Carrigabruise staff for putting in the effort: “With your enthusiasm, it can be done, that’s the future.”

Welcoming the funds strictly allocated to the autism class, the teachers and board highlighted further issues with the minister directly.

Chairperson of the school's Board of Management, Colm Devereaux, said they were delighted to have the minister here, as they were in the process of contacting the Department of Education.

“Quite frankly, the statutory obligations and general costs of maintenance have risen exponentially. We are struggling massively.” To put it in perspective, the principal, Ms Keogan-McDonnell added: “It’s fantastic to have a Special Needs Room, but will we able to heat it?”

Ms Bates further explained: “We are funded based on headcount. So, even if we have lower numbers, we still have to run the whole building.”

The gap in funding, the Minister was told, is bridged by fundraisers from the Parents Associations, providing tablets or other equipment. “Sometimes out of our own pocket”, admits Ms Bates.

“We have had to ask the parents to fund the school,” said the Principal. Parents also contribute by cutting the grass in the yard or painting walls and fences. The general upkeep is done by volunteers.

“We are very much the heart of the community, but we have stretched the community to the limit.”