special class update
12th may 2025
As there seems to be no urgency on the part of the relevant authorities to progress the Willowbrook Green land issue so that we can proceed to build the much-needed special classes, the staff and Board of Management of Scoil Mochua looked for an interim measure. We identified a Special Education classroom that could potentially be refurbished into a Special Class. The room currently has 2 Special Education Teachers in it, and, as well as literacy and numeracy classes throughout the day, all children who access assistive technology come to this room for additional tuition. It is currently used all day, every day. However, given its size, and its central location within the school building, it could work very well as a Special Class. The challenges of relocating 2 teachers in an already full-to-capacity school, as well as relocating all of the ICT classes could be overcome. The Board of Management inspected the room, and it was decided that the benefits far outweighed the challenges. We presented our proposal to the NCSE, and they were very grateful that we were taking a solution-focused, proactive approach. We met with an architect and had plans drawn up for the refurbishment work. We were told that the room could be ready for September 2025. Then, during the Easter holidays, we were contacted by NCSE to inform us that the Minister had reached her target of 400 Special Classes, and that our classroom would not be sanctioned for September 2025.
We have informed the NCSE that we are happy to proceed with the class for this coming September. We are well aware of a number of children in the immediate locality who do not have a school place for this September. We enjoy a close working relationship with NCSE, and look forward to cooperating with them to welcome children into our Special Classes. If this is not sanctioned for this September, then we hope that we will be prioritised for the following September. We will, of course, continue to press ahead with the original plan in parallel to this more immediate solution.
We have informed the NCSE that we are happy to proceed with the class for this coming September. We are well aware of a number of children in the immediate locality who do not have a school place for this September. We enjoy a close working relationship with NCSE, and look forward to cooperating with them to welcome children into our Special Classes. If this is not sanctioned for this September, then we hope that we will be prioritised for the following September. We will, of course, continue to press ahead with the original plan in parallel to this more immediate solution.
our journey to date
march 2025
We are very aware of the need for special classes in the local area, and we informed the NCSE of our interest in early 2021. Following consultation with the NCSE, we were delighted to be sanctioned two classes for autistic children in March 2021. The NCSE was aware that the school was at full capacity, with Special Education Teachers already doubling up in all of our Resource rooms, and no space on the school grounds to extend the building (whilst still providing a safe recreational space for our 663 children). The plan was to negotiate with Kildare County Council to obtain some of the very large green space that surrounds two sides of the school. The special classes would be built on to the existing building, and the additional land would replace the lost yard space.
In the course of these negotiations, KCC discovered that they did not actually own the land – it had not been transferred by the original builder many years ago. Matters were passed to the Chief State Solicitor’s Office. Our understanding is that it took close to two years to transfer ownership to KCC.
There has been much communication between KCC and ourselves since 2021. Various politicians, senators and councillors have supported us in our efforts to expedite matters. Parliamentary questions have been raised and the matter was brought to the Oireachtas by the then Senator Vincent P Martin following a visit to the school by the Senator. Various Councillors have supported us, including the previous Cllr Micheal Coleman, and more recently Cllr Lumi Panaite Fahey and Cllr David Trost. The Councillors have kept it on the agenda at the Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District meetings, and we thank them for their ongoing support and advocacy. Our very strong, supportive Parents’ Association are working with us, and include the matter on the agenda of every PA meeting. They have lobbied the various elected representatives in an effort to progress matters.
In the latest correspondence from Kildare County Council, we were informed that the matter is currently with Tailte Eireann (formerly Land Registry). In response to queries from us, Kildare County Council’s solicitor has requested that Tailte Eireann expedite the matter. We are currently (March 2025) waiting for this process to complete. We have asked the NCSE to intervene on our behalf in the hope that matters may quickly conclude, and we can begin the planning process. The school has written to all of the local politicians and Councillors to keep this matter high on the agenda.
There has been much communication between KCC and ourselves since 2021. Various politicians, senators and councillors have supported us in our efforts to expedite matters. Parliamentary questions have been raised and the matter was brought to the Oireachtas by the then Senator Vincent P Martin following a visit to the school by the Senator. Various Councillors have supported us, including the previous Cllr Micheal Coleman, and more recently Cllr Lumi Panaite Fahey and Cllr David Trost. The Councillors have kept it on the agenda at the Celbridge Leixlip Municipal District meetings, and we thank them for their ongoing support and advocacy. Our very strong, supportive Parents’ Association are working with us, and include the matter on the agenda of every PA meeting. They have lobbied the various elected representatives in an effort to progress matters.
In the latest correspondence from Kildare County Council, we were informed that the matter is currently with Tailte Eireann (formerly Land Registry). In response to queries from us, Kildare County Council’s solicitor has requested that Tailte Eireann expedite the matter. We are currently (March 2025) waiting for this process to complete. We have asked the NCSE to intervene on our behalf in the hope that matters may quickly conclude, and we can begin the planning process. The school has written to all of the local politicians and Councillors to keep this matter high on the agenda.
The Board of Management of Scoil Mochua is committed to opening special classes.
We welcomed NCSE’s letter sanctioning two classes in March 2021. Since then, we have worked very hard, and have had an open line of communication with NCSE, to make our vision a reality. We look forward to completing the land transfer, overseeing the new build and welcoming children into our special classes in the very near future.
The Board of Management would like to thank our PA, NCSE, local representatives and our whole school community for their ongoing support with this project.
We welcomed NCSE’s letter sanctioning two classes in March 2021. Since then, we have worked very hard, and have had an open line of communication with NCSE, to make our vision a reality. We look forward to completing the land transfer, overseeing the new build and welcoming children into our special classes in the very near future.
The Board of Management would like to thank our PA, NCSE, local representatives and our whole school community for their ongoing support with this project.
