Chronic shortage of space at Laois special school raised in Dáil

The chronic shortage of space at  Saint Francis Special School and the need for extra classrooms to cope with a growing number of students was raised in the Dáil this week by Brian Stanley TD. 

Deputy Stanley highlighted that there will be only nine pupils leaving the Portlaoise school this year but there is 45 pupils coming in and that number is increasing.

"While they are granted four extra additional classrooms which are welcome, these will take time. However, there's an immediate problem in relation to August and September," said the Laois TD. 

"In fairness to the school management, and staff they have pointed out a solution and that is for the department to provide 2 temporary prefabs on the site and there is plenty of space on the site for them. The department would say otherwise. I pointed out to the Taoiseach the urgency of the situation and asked him to take it up with the Department of Education and the Minister  and to take this seriously, to move this project on because we can't wait any longer for it."

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Responding to the call, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he would bring the issue to the attention of the Minister of State for special education, Deputy Moynihan.

"He is working flat out with schools, as is Minister McEntee, with a view to getting solutions on the ground in given locations where the need is greatest. If the Deputy sends me the details, I will forward them to the Minister of State to pursue the case. If there is a blockage, we will see if we can unblock it," said the Taoiseach.