Laois special schools 'excluded' from major Government pilot-plan

"The Ministers and senior civil servants that are making these decisions about our children, absolutely will not engage with us. Beyond sending emails, they will not respond to a request for a meeting," Ms Kerrigan explained.

"We can't get access to how this scheme was devised. This lack of communication is exacerbating the problem.

"I think parents of kids with special needs are very understanding. We're also very used to waiting. We understand there's a limited amount of services," Ms Kerrigan explained.

Pictured: A public meeting to demand a new school for Kolbe held in March 2023. Photo: Leinster Express

"Nobody is trying to push to the front of the queue here, but it is about what our children are entitled to, and we need to be communicated with if there is a problem, or what the plan is going forward," she said.

"Three of my children are in mainstream school, and I have never had to write to the Government to see their needs met, mainstream schools don't receive the same cavalier attitude."

"We have no idea on what basis the decision was made to include the chosen schools. What is most worrying is that if they're only going to take 16 schools every year, it will take eight years to roll out nationally.

"It means that if they have ranked all of the schools in terms of who needs what, some school is number 130, and will not get any services for at least eight years," Ms Kerrigan said.

"By which time, all of these politicians will be long gone, or redeployed themselves with no accountability," she added.

"These are very serious issues facing these children," said Ms Kerrigan.

"They require a lot of support and help. Children need these therapies to live their lives, and that's what is getting lost in this discussion."

Pictured: The opening of the new St Francis school building, June 16 2022. 

The alliance group have also pointed out the undue pressure that this situation puts on teachers and special needs assistants.

"If the teacher in the class is being expected to attend to six different competing sensory profiles, six different methods of communication, how can they attend to educational needs as well?" Ms Kerrigan questioned.

"The people of Laois and Offaly, I will say, are such understanding and supportive of people. We got great support with our campaign to build Kolbe," Ms Kerrigan said.

"The Kolbe school recently got a lovely new building, and we are glad of it- but a school is more than just bricks and mortar. You never know if your loved one is going to need to attend a special school," she finished.