Feb 27, 2025, Waterford News and Star: 11 new special classes announced for Waterford
11 new special classes have been announced for Waterford.
The news comes after months of advocacy by Waterford parents who have been trying to find a school space for their children.
Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler announced that the special classes had been sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for the coming school year 2025/2026.
Minister Butler stated: "I hope this news will help alleviate the concerns of many parents who have been so active in raising awareness around this issue. They played a very important role in ensuring progress was delivered quickly.
"Great credit is also due to school principals, teachers and Boards of Management for their ongoing consistent and constructive engagement with bodies like the NCSE and Department of Education to secure resolutions for children."
Waterford parents
Earlier this week, Waterford parents travelled to the Dáil to raise the issue of of lack school facilities for their children, alongside Sinn Féin TDs David Cullinane and Conor McGuinness.
Ferrybank mother Jennifer was delighted by the news, telling the Waterford News and Star; "I'm ecstatic that these classes have been sanctioned."
Jennifer is mother to 6 year old TJ, and has been working hard to secure a school space best accommodated to his needs. She said: "I'm really fighting for Ferrybank but if it means that 20 children have a place then that's great. I will not stop fighting until everyone's child has a place."
Deputy Cullinane told the News and Star that he was glad of the news but had some concerns about the provisions of modular units. He said: "I know many of the schools will need a modular unit and it may well be the case that they won't be functional. But news of new classes are welcomed.
He continued: "This has been a long battle with the Department (of Education) to get funding, we need SNAs (Special Needs Assistants), teachers.
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