Mattie McGrath urges new special school at Ferry House near Clonmel
Mattie McGrath pressed the minister on capacity problems at two Tipperary special schools, Angus and Carmel, which have turned away 17 children, and thanked the minister for meeting a parent, Tina Barrett, whose child secured a place. He called for a new special school to serve South Tipperary and West Waterford and proposed Ferry House just south of Clonmel as a potential site.
Angus and Carmel special schools in Tipperary are at capacity and have reportedly turned away 17 children. McGrath said there is a real problem providing sufficient school and second-level classes and criticised the NCSC for failing to address the shortfall.
McGrath thanked the Boards of Management, volunteers and parents who have been fighting for places for their children. He acknowledged recent engagement by the minister in Tipperary and noted a meeting with a parent, Tina Barrett, whose child did get a place.
McGrath urged the minister to examine Ferry House as a location for a new special school. He described Ferry House as a wonderful institution, no longer used for its original purpose, located just south of Clonmel between Carrick and Shoe and suitable to serve South Tipperary and West Waterford.
The speech highlighted concerns that families currently face long journeys which affect local hinterlands and siblings in school. McGrath stressed the need for local provision so children need not travel long distances and appealed for swift ministerial consideration.
Capacity and children affected
Angus and Carmel special schools in Tipperary are at capacity and have reportedly turned away 17 children. McGrath said there is a real problem providing sufficient school and second-level classes and criticised the NCSC for failing to address the shortfall.
Local parents and school communities
McGrath thanked the Boards of Management, volunteers and parents who have been fighting for places for their children. He acknowledged recent engagement by the minister in Tipperary and noted a meeting with a parent, Tina Barrett, whose child did get a place.
Proposed site - Ferry House
McGrath urged the minister to examine Ferry House as a location for a new special school. He described Ferry House as a wonderful institution, no longer used for its original purpose, located just south of Clonmel between Carrick and Shoe and suitable to serve South Tipperary and West Waterford.
Regional access and consequences
The speech highlighted concerns that families currently face long journeys which affect local hinterlands and siblings in school. McGrath stressed the need for local provision so children need not travel long distances and appealed for swift ministerial consideration.
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Transcript
Minister, I want to thank you, first of all, for engaging with all of us and engaging in Tipperary, and thank you for meeting a parent on the hoof recently, Tina Barrett, and they did get a place, Michael, and thank you for your involvement there, albeit in Tipperary Town. Our two excellent special schools in Tipperary, it's called Angus and it's called Carmel, are at capacity and they have turned away 17 children. There was a real problem providing sufficient school and second level classes, and it's really failing on the part of the NCSC, and you know that. I know you're committed to this. Minister, we really need a new special school in South Tipperary stroke, West Waterford, and with two excellent schools in Cashland, you've visited one of them recently, I appreciate that. I couldn't say enough for the Board of Management and those schools and the volunteers, and also the parents here today, and the fight they have to have for their children. But look, we do need some place in Clonmel, and Ferry House is a wonderful institution, no longer being used for what was used, and it's just south of Clonmel, between Carrick and Shoe. It would be a wonderful location, and I ask you to examine it, to do a new special school that would cater for people from West Waterford and South Tipperary, because people shouldn't have to travel long distances, taking away from their hinterland and their own siblings in school. So I really appeal to you, Minister, I haven't much time, and I want to take time from my colleagues to continue your good work, and to thank you again for your engagement. Thank you. Thank you,