'Deeply concerning' - Waterford children still without a school space
Pictured during a protest at John Roberts Square for those children who are currently locked out of an education. Photo: Joe Evans
Parents in Waterford are expressing their disappointment over the recent news regarding the sanctioning of special classes.
Over the past number of months, parents have been tirelessly campaigning and advocating to ensure their children's right to an education.
They have met with widespread public support, both locally and nationally, and have met with Government Ministers to appeal on their children's behalf.
Last week, the Department of Education announced that nearly 400 special classes have been sanctioned for the 2025/26 academic year.
On April 11, it was announced that two modular classes were sanctioned for St John's Special School in Dungarvan.
While the news has largely been welcomed, there are still a number of children who have been left behind.
Dungarvan mother Rebecca Meehan was one parent who had been working ceaselessly to secure a place for her five-year-old son, Jay. Her story has been told both in the Dáil and in local and national newspapers. However, last Friday she learned that her son had not been accepted, a development that has left her 'gobsmacked'.
She commented: "It's just devastating. It's like déja vu, just earthshaking all over again, that my son has been rejected again and turned away from his education that is his right."
Despite all the hard work and advocacy, Rebecca's family is still at an impasse. She told the Irish Examiner: "Jay has no school space for September, he has nowhere else to go. We've been given no information."
TD Conor McGuinness commented on the situation: "All progress is welcome and I want to commend St. John’s and their neighbours in St. Mary’s for working together to increase capacity with the addition of two modular units at St. John’s.
“This is down to the tireless campaigning of parents over recent months, who made it impossible for the Government parties to continue ignoring this issue, and to the determination of school management to find a solution to create more places.
"Announcements are well and good but we need to see action from the Department of Education and the NCSE to get these units set up for September.
"Unfortunately the announcement still leaves a number of children locally without places. This is deeply concerning. It is wrong, and it needs to be fixed."
He continued: "I have written to the Minister and the NCSE to raise the situation of these children, and to call for their right to an education to be fully vindicated by Government. I will continue to stand up for children with special educational needs and for their parents.”
