Gorey special school expansion
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said the temporary expansion of Gorey Hill special school onto Gaelscoil grounds was harming both schools and reflected poor planning. The Taoiseach said he would talk to the Minister for Education and pursue a permanent solution.
I understand the Taoiseach is aware of the situation where Gorey Hill special school, which was put in on a temporary basis on the campus of Gaelscoil Moshíológ, where I worked prior to starting here, is now expanding across the remaining green areas of the Gaelscoil. It is basically a problem which has arisen due to the lack of forward planning by the Department and casual indifference. It is having a huge impact now on special education in north Wexford, as well as on Gaelscoil provision. There is a massive demand for both in north Wexford and south Wicklow. My school was happy to facilitate special education to cater for the huge demand, even giving up play areas, parking, storage, green spaces and full access to the hall. However, due to lack of forward planning the special school now needs to expand further and it will need to expand further in subsequent years, going by projections. There is a lot of concern in the area about this. Could the Taoiseach give a commitment that he or his Ministers will come down to Gorey to discuss this with all parties concerned and come to a conclusion that is suitable to both parties?
Comment on this
I think Deputy Malcolm Byrne would have been on about this as well as the Deputy. It is in Gorey. I do appreciate the work the Gaelscoil did in facilitating the location of the special school there. I certainly will talk to the Minister for education and see how we can progress this further. The Deputy is saying that the amenities and playing pitches the Gaelscoil has been enjoying are now under pressure because of the expansion of the special school. I presume there are plans afoot to provide a permanent premises for the special school. I will engage with the Minister in that regard.