Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

September is just around the corner. Despite a flurry of announcements earlier this year, there is still no sign of delivery on special education. I say that because Knockmahon National School in Bunmahon in my county, Waterford, received approval from the NCSE in 2023 to provide an autism class but was refused funding this April. St. Mary's nationals school in Grange also in County Waterford was given no answer as to why the Department has ignored a SENO report asking for an increased SNA allocation. Scoil Gharbháin in Dún na Mainistreach, Dún Garbhán, was granted funding by the Department in December 2024 for space needed this September. Contact from the design team which was promised in February has not come. Garranbane National School just outside Dungarvan needs a second autism class immediately. A modular option would take two years at the minimum and would push back the prospect of a permanent building with additional mainstream classrooms and the school is forced into an unenviable choice. Extra space was sanctioned in St. John's Special School in Dungarvan by the Minister earlier this year. There is no sign of delivery or impetus from the Government to get those spaces. Ballycurrane National School in west Waterford is still waiting for a reply from the Department to a letter sent in January asking for its views on provision of a special class.

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