A RAPTUROUS welcome greeted Minister for Special Education, Josepha Madigan, as she officially opened the ASD facilities at Scoil na Mainistreach’s in Quin.
The school’s choir and band entertained the Minister for State, before she was presented with mementoes of her visit, including a painting of the scenic East Clare village. The school’s first ASD classroom opened earlier this year. Since then, with the collaboration of the National Council for Special Education (NESC) and a huge level of cooperation from staff, parents and pupils, the school has now increased provision to two classrooms – catering for a total of 12 pupils.
Minister Madigan paid tribute to the entire school team led by Principal Fergal Lynch and Deputy Principal Eleanor Gallagher. She also recalled chairing an online meeting, earlier this year, during which the school’s pupils took part in a debate on vegetarianism. She added that she could see the same “compassion and empathy in action” throughout the school, as it worked to boost facilities for pupils with special educational needs.
“I commend the whole school community for embracing each other’s differences,” Minister Madigan said. “There will be a total of 2,900 in schools throughout the country by the end of 2023. We have made provision, in the Budget, for 370 new special classes. While it is never enough, we now have around 40,000 staff across Ireland, including special education teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). I am absolutely determined to improve special educational provision.
“The ministry I hold was established by the Tanáiste and puts the spotlight firmly on special education. We have a budget of €2.6bn for this, which represents an increase of 10% and 27% of the entire budget for the Department of Education for 2023.”
Principal, Mr Lynch, thanked the Minister for supporting the school. He said the last ten months, since the opening of the first ASD classroom, have involved “amazing pupils, supportive parents and staff”.
Mr Lynch described the special education teachers and SNAs as “the most dedicated people who work always in the best interests of the child; always with smiles on their faces and full of positive energy”. He thanked everyone involved and commended the construction team who worked with the school to refurbish the facilities.
“My wish now for the pupils is that they will enjoy a long and fruitful educational journey with us,” he added. “There is a great sense of togetherness at this school. We are all proud of our great team. We have the greatest pupils and we are hugely proud to welcome the Minister to our school.”
Two new SEN classrooms are due to come on stream at Scoil na Mainistreach in the coming months.
“That will take the total to three SEN rooms,” Mr Lynch told The Champion. “Currently, one of our classes is taking place in a dressing room and we really appreciate the flexibility of that teacher and pupils. When the new development is built, one of the existing SEN rooms will relocate to the new facility, and the other class will move back in to its old room.”
Parish Priest Fr Tom Ryan blessed the special education facilities and prayed for the happiness and success of everyone. Minister Madigan met the pupils and commended special education teachers in the ASD classrooms, Lorna O’Donovan and Sheelagh Daffy; and the SNA team, Anne, Aoife, Geraldine, Michelle, Charlotte, Orla and Sarah.
The event was attended by Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District, Councillor Alan O’Callaghan; Deputies Joe Carey and Cathal Crowe and Councillor Joe Cooney; as well as members of the board of management.
Deputy Carey said the Minister’s visit was a great vote of confidence in the working being done at Scoil na Mainistreach. “The work being done at the school to be inclusive and supportive of pupils with special educational needs is just fantastic and ties in with the very welcoming approach taken by the school team,” he said. “Great credit is due to the staff, pupils, parents and board of management.”
As part of her visit to Clare, Minister Madigan also visited Doora National School, which has two autism classes, and commended the work of the staff, pupils and parents there.