Political representatives and parents have been reacting to the breaking news that County Monaghan is to get its own dedicated special school by next year. Earlier, we broke the news as it came from the Department of Special Education.
The details as we know them are the new school will be open by next September in time for the start of the 2025/26 school year. A location has not yet been finalised for the school but crucially, the building and its location will allow for the an increasing number of children with special needs. The decision to provide County Monaghan with a special school is set to be formally agreed by Cabinet on Tuesday but was confirmed by Minister Humphreys today.
At the beginning of this year, the Special Needs Active Parents - or SNAP - began lobbying government, local politicians and our sitting Minister to deliver a special school for the many children in County Monaghan who have no dedicated school which would cater for their specific needs.
Today, is a red letter day for the county and its children with special needs and highlights the effectiveness of political lobbying in conjunction with local radio working for, and on behalf of, its community.
Local representatives and parents have been reacting to the breaking news. Paddy McAloon is father to two children with additional needs. He is also the chairperson of SNAP and has spoken on Northern Sound on numerous occasions during their campaign:
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy, who has campaigned and lobbied the government on behalf of Monaghan parents, welcomed the news and spoke of his pride for local parents who bore all on behalf of their children. Deputy Carthy also said there are still issues in relation to the school which need to be ironed out:
Cavan-Monaghan TD Brendan Smith also welcomed the news as a "needed, good development" and commended everyone who lobbied for it:
