Balbriggan special school opening
Deputy O'Reilly sought reassurance that the new Balbriggan special school would open on time and be properly staffed. The Taoiseach said he would raise it with Ministers and that work was under way to secure places for September.
Applications for the very much-needed special school that is due to open in Balbriggan closed on 29 May. It is very likely to be oversubscribed.
As the Taoiseach can imagine, there is quite a number of anxious parents wanting confirmation that this school is going to open. I am concerned at the fact that I have now been contacted by SNAs who cannot find any information about the recruitment process, which leads me to believe it may not open in September as has been promised.
I am not expecting the Taoiseach to have the answer here this afternoon - it would be unfair of me to expect that - but I ask him to engage with the Minister for education to get confirmation that the much-needed special school for Balbriggan will open in September.
Comment on this
I will raise this issue with the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and the Minister for education, Deputy Naughton, in respect of that new school for Balbriggan. I do not have the specific details here, but we are working flat out to get as many places available through classes and new schools as quickly as possible to make sure pupils have places in September.