Ireland: Jasour – News Desk
West Cork should be the location of the new special school promised for the county, A Department of Education spokesperson told The Echo: “The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation, managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. “In the current school year, there are close to 21,000 children with special-educational needs transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that there are currently 57 pupils travelling on school-transport services, who attend Cork city special schools from the south-west.
Recently, Minister for Education Norma Foley, and Minister of State with Responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton, announced that a new special school will open in Cork in 2025/2026. Cork South West TD and Social Democrats leader, Holly Cairns, says this school must be in her constituency, adding she has been raising this “consistently with various ministers” since her election.
Minister Foley recently announced that an additional special school would be provided within Cork in 2025, Also Ms Cairns said : “It is of huge concern that children in Cork South West must travel long distances to attend special schools and classes, arriving in schools already tired and not in a state conducive to learning”, “By forcing disabled children to attend schools outside their local areas, in order to receive the supports they need, children are being denied opportunities to make friends and connections within their own communities.”
“Every child, regardless of where they live, should have access to schooling that meets their needs.
“A local special school would transform the lives of many families in our area, giving children the chance to thrive in an environment built around their specific needs.
