New Kildare special school is oversubscribed

THERE has been a call for further special school places after news emerged that a new special school in south Kildare is already oversubscribed.

 Labour Party TD Mark Wall made the call after being contacted by distressed families who have been informed there is no place for their child at Ros Glas Community Special School in Monasterevin.

Deputy Wall said: said “Over the last number of days, I have met with and received calls from heartbroken families who have received letters from the new school in Monasterevin to say that their child did not receive a school place. This bad news for so many families seems to be in the 8 to 13 age bracket in particular, but I have also received calls and met with families of younger children. 

“Along with so many people, I have fought hard for a new special school in the south of the county where I have always said there was such demand, given the number of families contacting my office. Thankfully, Kildare and Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB) will open this long-awaited special school in the town of Monasterevin. 

“From speaking to KWETB, work is well underway to open the new school, but unfortunately it is already heavily oversubscribed. The school will have three age-based classes, but the class for those aged between 9 and 13 seems to be the one that is most oversubscribed. 

“Families have received letters over the last number of days, and I have met and spoken with many of them. What we need now is an urgent intervention by government and the National Council for Special Education to help and support these families. The prospect for many of these children is further home schooling and no social interaction which is what so many of these students need at this time." 

Deputy Wall said places must be found urgently.