Dear Ballincollig Community,
The NCSE sanctioned three ASD/Special Classes for ScoilEoin in 2021 and reaffirmed this offer in January 2024 stating that “the original sanction letter for three Autism Classes (dated-02/02/2021) still stands due to the demand for the opening of special classes in the Ballincollig area”.
Scoil Eoin does not have a Special Class for children with Autism despite currently having 21 boys diagnosed with Autism enrolled. Unfortunately, despite our collective best efforts, some of these boys are really struggling with mainstream schooling in large classes and we desperately require an ASD unit/Special Class to support them.
On an ongoing basis, parents whose children are struggling in mainstream without the support of an autism class are constantly stressed about this. These parents worry about the availability of an appropriate place in an ASD unit/Special Class. They are also fearful that if their child does get a place, they will have a long commute, usually in a taxi with an escort, to a unit outside the Ballincollig area. This adds unnecessary stress to their day. These parents are also very aggrieved and concerned that their children are denied the opportunity and right to go to school in their own community with their siblings and friends. We are determined to change this, not just for the families currently enrolled but also for families going forward, but without your support, this is not possible. We held a meeting in the school on 06/03/24 and emotions ran high due to the level of frustration we are experiencing in waiting for Scoil Eoin to receive funding for a Special Class accommodation.
On 16th Jan 2024, the school received a letter from the Minister of Education’s office [Ref: DES-MO-00584-2023] stating that the school is at maximum capacity and it would not be possible to provide the required accommodation [for a Special Class] on site unless vast amounts of existing accommodation was to be demolished and replaced with two storey accommodation… “As the cost of same would be excessive it was decided that the proposed project would not progress…Unfortunately, the Department is not in a position at present to provide funding for the significant demolition of the school building and its replacement.”
The school commissioned an engineer’s condition report on a section of the school that is in poor condition and couldusefully be demolished and rebuilt. The building in questionhas significant subsidence, requires drainage works, roofingrepairs, rewiring, new windows, disabled toilets, access ramps and needs to be connected to the main school building. Regarding a separate project, the department have sanctioned the school a new modular building to replace the wooden prefab in the backyard. This modular building is costing just under 300k and would not be needed if we were granted a knock and rebuild as the new two storey would be big enough to accommodate 6 classrooms, special education rooms and the ASD / Special Class. Therefore, in light of this and bearing in mind the contents of the engineer’s condition report the cost of a knock and rebuild would be better value for money. It is also the fairest outcome enabling us to support children with additional needs and give our boys on the ASD spectrum the right to attend a special class in Scoil Eoin.
Another reason for putting forward the solution of a knock and rebuild is temporary accommodation can be availed of in the local community hall beside Scoil Eoin during construction.
As the oldest established primary school in the area, we want to play our part in providing a primary education for all families, inclusive of children with special needs. Continued failure to provide an ASD class for Scoil Eoin in Ballincollig is unacceptable.
We would like to thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We have also been in contact with other political representatives. We are sure you will agree that this issue requires your urgent attention and our next meeting will take place in Scoil Eoin on Thursday, 25th April at 7.30pm.
Trusting in your support.
On behalf of the Scoil Eoin ASD/Special Class Appeal