Department earmarks second site for school after negotiations fall through

St Teresa’s Special School in Ballinasloe had been threatened with closure earlier this year as the provider Ability West was unable to meet the insurance premium, which skyrocketed by nearly €24,000 in two years.

The school, which has 20 students and 15 staff, is currently located in temporary accommodation on the grounds of St Brigid’s, the former psychiatric hospital in the town.

Moving into a purpose-built facility is predicted to result in a sizable reduction in insurance costs as the risk of incidents is lessened.

Former minister Denis Naughten has confirmed that negotiations for the purchase of a site for the new school which had been in train since May have failed to reach an agreement. The Department was now engaging with another landowner to buy a second site.

In answer to a parliamentary question from Deputy Naughten, Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh stated that the sites were identified by Galway County Council and were then comprehensively assessed before a preferred site option was identified. There is no indication when or if the deal will be concluded.

“Please be assured that this Department is doing all it can to progress the matter,” insisted Minister McHugh.

Deputy Naughten said parents needed a clear commitment of funding for the project.

“For far too long children with special needs have had to travel great distances to access education. We now have a facility on our doorstep and we need a commitment that the money will be put in place to allow for the construction of a purpose-built school for the children of Ballinasloe, east Galway and south Roscommon,” he stated.

“While it is disappointing that these talks have fallen through, I hope that the talks on the alternative site will lead to a positive outcome for local pupils.”

Following a campaign by parents and local politicians, The Department of Education stepped in last June and gave an advance on their capitation grant of €23,000 to ensure the school paid its insurance premium for the year ahead and stayed open.

Special schools around the country have been struggling with rising insurance premiums because of a higher number of claims lodged.

The principal Anita O'Reilly said the school will await news about progress on the site.

“As the school is growing, we are rapidly running out of space in our existing accommodation.”

They are also hoping for confirmation from the Department that special schools, irrespective of their patronage, will be covered by the state's claims agency in the future.