Mother's Day 5km walk for educational equality
Conor McGuinness, TD, appeared at the walk.
Mothers in Waterford came together on Mother's Day, Sunday, March 30, and walked 5km in a vital call to action for educational equality.
The walk was a continuation of the call for awareness and action on the lack of school spaces for children in Waterford.
In Dungarvan, up to 19 families are impacted by the lack of adequate school spaces at St. John's Special School. Parents have been applying pressure to the Government for these essential resources, and their efforts are drawing national attention.
Last week mother Rebecca Meehan met with Minister Helen McEntee about the crisis, alongside fellow parents. According to Rebecca: "Minister McEntee gave her assurance that she would be instructing [that] two modulars be placed in St. John's Special School as an interim measure to allow the children access to their education for September 2025 in an appropriate placement."
However, since this meeting none of the 19 affected families have received a firm offer, according to Rebecca. This impasse was the impetus for the 5km walk on Mother's Day. Rebecca thanked the community for their 'phenomenal' support, especially Eurostar Abbeyside, the Gold Coast Hotel and the Railway Cottage for their support and donations.
Lack of adequate school spaces for children with additional needs is a nationwide issue. All across Waterford, families are fighting to ensure their child's constitutional right to an education. Their plight has inspired an outpouring of support.
On Wednesday, April 2, Waterford parents will be protesting at the Dáil for their children. On Saturday, April 5, there will be a large-scale demonstration at John Roberts Square in Waterford City.
