Feb 12, 2025, WFL FM: 'Shouldn't be happening in 2025' - special school shortages raised in Dáil
A peaceful protest will be held in Dungarvan tonight demanding increased capacity for a special school in the area.
The issue was raised in the Dáil last night as 22 schoolchildren with additional needs remain without a place for the coming school year at St. John's Special School.
Waterford Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane says it's outrageous that such a large volume of children are being left behind. . . .
His party colleague, Deputy Conor McGuinness TD, says the situation didn't happen overnight - and should've been addressed years beforehand.
"The shortage of special education spaces across Waterford City and County didn't happen overnight, but it has now reached crisis level. 20 children have been told that there's no space for them in St John's Special School come September. Given the limited spaces and high demand, the school was forced to pick names at random through a lottery and create a waiting list. . . .
Conor McGuinness TD challenged the Minister's response - raising that it is simply imperative that something is done sooner rather than later - as September will be fast upon us.
"You say that the need for additional school spaces and capacity in County Waterford will be kept under review, but September is coming so quickly for these families. There's no certainty. They have no information. Take every resource that you have available to ensure that there are spaces for these children because with the spaces that are there, there will be children left without a space and the only option for them if the space is not created for them, is to be sat at the kitchen table at home or going without an education. That is not fair in 2025."
Minister Moynihan reiterated his personal commitment to attempt to rectify the ongoing situation.
"I will work as hard as I can with the resources that are available through the NCSE and through the department and we will try together. I think this is an issue that all of us as public representatives - we've met parents and we know the challenges that are being faced and many complex needs, but we will work as hard as we can to try and find solutions for the parents of the children in Waterford and indeed throughout the country."
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