Fears over capacity at the Little Angels Special Needs School have come to fruition after the families of nine children have been told there is no space for them.
The new school, built at Knocknamona, was intended to cater to the expansion of the school community.
Despite the opening of the school just weeks away, it became clear long ago that there was not enough space.
Nine local families have now been told by the Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) that despite being instructed to send their children to Little Angels, the school cannot accommodate them.
Panicked parents have launched an online campaign called ‘Don’t Forget Our Little Angels’ to highlight the matter.
They said: “Each of our children has different needs, but all individually need a placement at Little Angels. As we the parents of these children who are non verbal we will be advocating on their behalf. We will not settle until we secure the placements our little angels deserve!”
The issue arose in the Dáil and Seanad yesterday.
Sinn Féin Deputy Pearse Doherty asked Taoiseach Micheál Martin to provide temporary accommodation on site for September as well as a long-term expansion.
Deputy Doherty said that nine families have been in direct contact with him.
“This is absolutely appalling. It is devastating for these parents and families who are battling every day,” he said.
The Taoiseach replied that the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, the Department of Education and the NCSE are engaging with the school and families on the issue.
He added that the school is considering converting two rooms in the new school into classrooms which will provide additional capacity.
Senator Nikki Bradley, spokesperson for Disability and Children in Seanad Éireann, has asked how over the 14 years of the new school development, no changes could be made to address capacity concerns when they first arose.
Senator Bradley told the Seanad: “This was widely reported in the media in Donegal. We are now at the stage where, unless a solution is found, nine children will not have a place in September even though they have waited and waited. This is simply not good enough.”
Senator Bradley has called on the Minister to come before the Seanad to “fast track” the solution.
“We need to find a solution in the next few weeks so that, when September comes, those nine children can continue their education and avail of a service that is owed to them,” she said.
