Assurances sought as fears of job cuts at Limerick special school grow

THE MINISTER of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion is being urged to put the minds of students, staff and parents of children attending a special needs school at rest.

St Vincent’s Special Needs School in Lisnagry caters for children with moderate to severe and profound learning difficulties.

Now, plans to cut the student intake from 106 to 100 have sparked fears that staff numbers could also be reduced.

Labour councillor Elena Secas, who represents the Lisnagry area, has called on Minister of State Josepha Madigan to make a statement on any redundancies which may arise.

“Parents are profoundly concerned over any potential staffing redundancies as this will have a huge impact on their children's education,” she said.

“This is not the first time this school has been targeted for staff redundancies and it is completely wrong on all levels.”

Cllr Secas also wants to see Ms Madigan put in place “all necessary measures” to ensure there are no staff redundancies at the school.

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St Vincent's caters for children of a wide range of ages from across the region.

The potential of redundancies was brought to light last month when the schools’ parents association expressed the fears of the impact any staff cut could have on their children’s education.

Declan O'Dwyer, chair of the association said eight-in-10 students carry an autism diagnosis and given their needs, the possibility of any staff number cut has left parents “astounded”.

He added that to do so “would cut the oxygen that makes the school function.”

Staff numbers remain under review, the National Council for Special Education said.