Brady calls on Minister Foley to release funds to allow primary school to reopen dedicated Autism area
Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has written to Minister Norma Foley expressing his concern following reports that the Department of Education is refusing to pay for much needed works at the Wicklow Educate Together Primary School to repair a leaking roof. The leak is affecting an area designated for pupils with Autism, and there are fears that this will impact on social Autism classes in the school.
Brady said:
“I am appalled to hear that the Department has refused Wicklow Educate Together Primary School’s appeal and thrown it back on the school to pay for the cost of repairs to the roof. This will mean that the school will be forced to turn to parents to fundraise for repairs.
I am actually shocked that this is the case.
There is a shortage of Autism units in schools across Wicklow, and the fact that a dedicated area has been condemned for use because of a leak in the roof highlights this government’s failure to deliver for children with additional needs.
I have written to Minister Norma Foley outlining my concerns and appealing to her to release funding for the much-needed repairs. The prevailing attitude of the Minister and her Department is unacceptable, and there needs to be a sharp change of attitude here, and they need to be quick about it.” ENDs