Parents push for new special needs school as Minister increases capacity

- Veronica Corr -

Parents and politicians impressed upon the Minister for Education the need for a dedicated new school for children with special needs when Hildegarde Naughton visited the county last week.

“The immediate priority for Monaghan Community Special School was to increase the capacity,” Minister Naughton told the Celt in relation to the school facility, which is operating temporarily in the old Castleblayney College.

There are currently 18 children enrolled with a waiting list. “We’re also working on another classroom for six more children,” she revealed.

Asked directly if a new build is a priority, Minister Naughton said: “A new build will take longer, that’s just being completely honest.”

The Minister commended Principal Belinda Walters, Deputy Principal Majella Nugent, Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB), and everyone who helped to get the school project off the ground.

“I absolutely acknowledge the demand and need in this area,” said Minister Naughton who described the work of teachers at the school, which opened on October 13 last, as “phenomenal”.

“I have met the parents; I can hear and see the impact that this is having now that their children are here. I want to do more. This is my commitment. I will be working with the elected representatives here and I know the Department of Education is working with the school to progress plans,” continued the Minister.

“It is heartwarming to see the expertise, care and the safe space that these children are getting here, receiving an education. Their verbal skills and their social interactions are improving. It is life-changing not only for those children but their families and their parents,” said Minister Naughton.

Parent Julie Durrigan’s son has non-verbal autism. She described the school as being a lifesaver for the whole family, adding that her son has been a lot happier and calmer since starting there.

Julie was asked whether she felt a new build is necessary, she replied: “Yes, definitely. The community needs it. Parents need it. The children 100% need it. Families need it.”

However, she is very thankful for her son’s place and the work being done for him.”It’s brilliant. I cannot be half thankful enough today, but we need a bigger school. I’m hoping it will come because there’s so many kids without places.”

John Kearney, CEO of the National Council for Special Education (NSCE) and formerly CMETB, and CMETB’s Director of Schools Paddy Flood, both thanked Minister Naughton for her ongoing support and endorsement of Monaghan Community Special School.

Aprilanna Barker, CMETB Chairperson said: “This is my first time up here. It is a Godsend for so many parents, for the community. You can just feel the love and see the attention to detail; the children are prioritised, the level of specialist care that they are receiving from teachers, the thankfulness of the parents - they’re just delighted to have such an amazing facility so close.”

Minister of State Niamh Smyth, Deputy Matt Carthy, Senator Robbie Gallagher and Councillor Aidan Campbell, were also present. All were unreserved in their praise of the staff and facilities at the Monaghan Community Special School but agreed a new school is needed.

Senator Robbie Gallagher (FF) said: “We need to get a new greenfield site for a purpose-built facility.”

Sinn Féin’s Deputy Carthy agreed. “There was a very long campaign to secure what is now an interim school but is providing a huge resource and relief to the 18 families who are benefiting from it,” he said.

“But I think the message coming from the parents was very loud and clear. Certainly, I heard it and it is one of my priorities, that we deliver a special school that has the capacity for every child in the county that needs a place. The facility has always been more important than the location. Castleblayney is in the centre of the county, so from that point of view it’s as good a location as you’re going to find,” he said.

Fine Gael’s Deputy Maxwell (FG) said that site selection could not be rushed.

“It’s not going to happen overnight but, going forward to cater for all the children in Co Monaghan, who need that place in a special school, we have to look about a new school. I will be working with the Minister over the next number of years to get a site chosen and to start the process of delivering that new school in a timeframe.”

The Special Needs Active Parents (SNAP) group has also called for a purpose-built new school on a suitable site.

Chairperson, Paddy McAloon, told this newspaper late last year that, in its initial planning days, it was hoped the school would hold “45 to 65 kids”.

He believes the current location, on a hill with limited access and parking, is not suitable and has “practically no room for expansion”.

Mr McAloon described the school as both a “lifeline” and “fantastic” for the 18 students in the school, but said “we need the politicians to put the pressure on and we need the government to announce a permanent location”.