Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am a neighbour of Clonkeen College. My home is a few hundred metres away. My neighbours' children are pupils in the school. Many former pupils of mine have been educated there. Clonkeen College is an outstanding school with an excellent reputation and offers a comprehensive and holistic education to all its students, including a wide range of sports such as football.

I also want to draw attention to the special needs unit in the school. It serves children and allows them to access a special education which I understand needs to be delivered in a caring and special environment. I supported the special needs unit during my time as principal of The Harold School and have visited it. I have seen at first hand the great work which is carried out within the special needs unit. I know from first-hand experience how well the school has been managed and its competent board of management.

The Department and taxpayer, as is well known, has invested over €10 million in its development and enhancement in recent years. I want to put on the record of the House that I have worked tirelessly since last summer to facilitate a resolution to this issue. I arranged a meeting between the Minister for Education and Skill, the principal, members of staff, board and Department to which I invited Deputy Boyd Barrett and other elected representatives. I subsequently met the school principal, board of management and individual parents, pupils and stakeholders on numerous occasions. I have communicated with stakeholders and the school principal, often on a biweekly basis and, in some cases, on a weekly basis.

I understand the statutory responsibilities of the Minister for Education and Skills in this process. However, as an elected Member for Dún Laoghaire and a former school principal in the area who spent 31 years of my career in educating children, I still believe that talks between both sides is the best route forward. As a local Deputy, I am available to do whatever I can to bring both sides back to the table.

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