Special Educational Needs
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-21
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Sarah O'Reilly (AON), Agricultural Panel

I thank the Minister of State for that comprehensive reply, which does address some of my concerns. If the ratio of teachers and SNAs to students is going to stay consistent, that is good but it is reasonable for people to assume that this is a move to increase students in ASD classrooms when the Department is not progressing planning and extensions for school accommodation and new builds.
I mentioned St. Aidan's, but Bailieborough Community School is in the same position. It is six years out from an extension being announced but is stuck at design stage 2b just like the other school mentioned. It is beyond a joke that Bailieborough, Kingscourt, Virginia and Cavan, all approved projects, are gathering dust. Teachers and principals are right to feel overlooked. Does the Minister of State see why schools and parents see this proposal as an attempt at overcrowding? That is just another word for it. The Department has been piling more onto teachers and school communities particularly those waiting five to ten years for additional classroom space.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-21/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:50+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-21