Fears of potential redundancies at Limerick special needs school
A LIMERICK county school is grappling with the possibility of staff redundancies by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for the upcoming school year 2023/24.
Catering to children of a wide range of ages from Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary, St Vincent's Special Needs School specialises in providing education for students with “moderate to severe and profound general learning disabilities.”
Parents, who form the St Vincents Lisnagry Special Needs School Parents Association, are expressing profound concern over potential staffing redundancies and the impact this may have on their children's education.
Declan O'Dwyer, Chairperson of the Parents Association said that an overwhelming 80% of the student body carries an autism diagnosis, and given the needs of the students, the possibility to reduce staff numbers has left parents “astounded.”
Those at the school had previously undertaken a review and made a decision to reduce student enrollment from 106 to 100 for the forthcoming 23/24 academic year.
This decision is said to have been made to provide the students with the education they are entitled to, while also prioritising their safety and well-being.
On behalf of the parents, Mr O'Dwyer emphasised that the staff play a vital role in the student's lives, and to lose any is “to cut the very oxygen that makes the school function.”
He believes that this will leave the children without “rightful education.”
A spokesperson for the NCSE commented: “The projected school staffing for St Vincent’s Special School for 23/24 will include a principal, a deputy principal, and 17 class teachers. Current allocation of SNA support is 40 posts, however this is currently subject to an ongoing review of SNA supports in the school.
“When the review has been concluded, the allocation of SNA support to the school will be confirmed,” the statement read.