Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My colleague, Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan, has set out the matter clearly. It appears there has been very poor communication with the parents of the pupils of St. Vincent's Secondary School, particularly the parents of children with additional needs. There is a very good educational structure in place in the school for 24 pupils with special needs. It takes a bit of time for children with such needs to settle into a school and now they are being asked to move on 1 September next year. This requires further consultation and the whole amalgamation process should be paused. I wrote to the Religious Sisters of Charity last Monday and got a response today advising that the trustees intend to engage with the school's board of management and the teachers by the end of this week. This is a welcome development.

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