Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

St. John's special school in Dungarvan opened in 1969 to serve children with a mild general learning disability in the west Waterford area. The school has expanded rapidly in the past few years. It caters for pupils aged between four and 18 years with a mild, moderate and severe to profound learning disability. Many of these pupils also present with additional needs.

The children enrolling in this school have complex needs and most have co-occurring physical, sensory or emotional needs. Many also have various syndromes such as Down's and Prader-Willi syndrome, which are life-limiting conditions, and medical issues. The school serves a broad catchment area which covers Dungarvan, west Waterford, east Cork and parts of south Tipperary. There are 63 pupils enrolled in the school. On the basis of projections and inquiries about enrolments, pupil numbers are expected to increase. I have been informed by the principal that the school building and facilities on offer are no longer fit for purpose. Staff endeavour to provide the best service possible for their pupils and their families.

The school is awaiting final stage sanction for a new extension. The staff appreciate the two extensions provided in 2011 and 2015 but following provision under the current application capacity on the site will have been reached. A long-term solution is needed in order that the school can plan properly for future generations. As I said, current enrolment stands at 63 but, in September 2019, it will be 72. There is a waiting list of six for September 2019 and the school is taking inquiries for September 2020. It is important to make the point that the children on the waiting list do not have the option of applying to another school in the area as their special needs would not be met. There have been eight inquiries for September 2020 and based on the level of interest this year that number is expected to increase. It is anticipated that the number of children seeking to enrol in St John’s school will continue to increase significantly in the next few years. It is difficult to predict numbers coming from mainstream school settings but if the pattern of the past few years continues numbers will increase significantly.

The school is awaiting a decision from the Department of Education and Skills on its application for a third extension. While the staff acknowledge and thank the Department for the two extensions already provided, the current premises will have reached saturation point on the completion of the new extension and a new school will become necessary. One wonders if a third extension is value for money when enrolments are expected to increase.

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