Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I thank the office of the Ceann Comhairle for taking this matter, the provision of alternative accommodation for a special needs class in County Leitrim.

Last year, parents of children attending a class for children with a mild learning disability in St. Patrick's National School, Drumshanbo, were alarmed at the proposal to close down the class. The inspector has said the class will be suppressed with effect from 31 August 2009. The board of management has not yet exhausted all viable options for the class to remain open. The children are to be placed in classes with people with more severe disabilities. The children who attend the class in St. Patrick's come from a wide geographical area, from Arigna, County Roscommon, Cleveragh, County Sligo, Aughacashel and Leitrim village. If the class closes down the only options are the Mercy in County Sligo or Killoe, County Longford. This is too far for parents and children to travel.

The Minister for Education and Science said the class would be put out of the Enterprise Centre, Drumshanbo, because of health and safety problems. Now, parents, students and teachers are given priority for funding to relocate to the Marian College, Mohill, which is now vacant. The VEC is willing to accommodate the class providing a section of the building is made safe. Funding is needed to adapt the building to the needs of the children and the parents and children have no desire to travel to schools in County Sligo or County Longford. Parents believe these children are entitled to be provided with an adequate classroom for education in County Leitrim. Teachers are in agreement with the relocation and this is a win-win situation for parents, teachers and most importantly for the pupils. I ask the Department to provide funding to rectify this unfair and unjust situation.

See this speech in context