New special school to open in Castleblayney in September

Concerns raised over location of new school

It’s hoped that a new school for pupils with special needs in Monaghan will be open for the 2025-2026 academic year, however concerns remain over its location.

An update on the project was provided to members of the Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board at their meeting last week.

The meeting heard that the Department of Education assessed the CMETB buildings available and picked the location of the old technical school in Castleblayney.

However board member, Joe McGrath, flagged concerns. He said this was the “busiest” part of the town, with the Enterprise Centre, primary school, Castleblayney College, a filling station, shop, graveyard and a funeral shop all in the vicinity.

He expressed further worries about road safety and the possibility of motorists “driving through” the pedestrian crossing and causing an accident.

According to Mr McGrath, the Special Needs Active Parents (SNAP) group in the area previously addressed a meeting of Monaghan County Council on the issue, expressing they are “very unhappy with the site”.

“I think we’re putting CMETB at risk,” Mr McGrath asserted, adding “my issue is with the geographical setting.”

He proposed a site meeting or an emergency meeting take place on the issue.

Director of Schools, Paddy Flood, said he has “never seen such rich consultation on a project” with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) having developed a model for working with families who will use the service.

The school is currently at the stage of advancing building design plans.

Mr Flood assured board members that CMETB is “working very closely” with the Department of Education to deliver the project.

“Would I or this board sign off on an unsafe site?” Mr Flood asked.

“Absolutely not,” he responded to his own question.

“I feel that the truth must come out,” Mr McGrath countered, asking that his concerns be put on the record.

“I’m doing it for the special needs people,” he said.

The meeting heard from the executive that it is a “priority” to have the school open for the next academic year and the current plans would be an “interim solution” to “avoid delays”.

Members gathered also heard it would be “a number of years” before a “brand new school” could be developed.

Meanwhile Chief Executive of CMETB Dr Fiona McGrath said: “Our priority is to provide the service for parents and children of County Monaghan.”

She asked that the board “work together” to bring the project to “fruition” for the next academic year. Mr Flood said “we don’t know” how many students will apply to study at the school.

“What demand will be like here in Monaghan, we don’t know,” he admitted, adding that the “big thing” will be to create an environment where “young people are welcome”.

“This is going to be the very best service in Ireland,” he assured.

In October of last year, Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed plans for the project - the first dedicated special school in the county, with the CMETB confirmed as patrons for the school late last year.

Monaghan Community Special School will provide education for students, aged four to 18 years, who have a diagnosis of Autism or children with complex learning needs with a professional recommendation for a special school.

Applications for student enrolment will open soon the meeting heard, and CMETB has commenced the recruitment process for teachers and staff.

Applications for the position of principal teacher are already open, and recruitment for deputy principal, teachers, special needs assistants (SNAs), bus escorts, and other key staff will follow.

A meeting between the NCSE and parents on the school took place yesterday (March 4) at the Monaghan Education Centre.