Tullamore school may not reopen if modular units not delivered

Charleville National School in Tullamore may not reopen in September if modular units for 12 special needs pupils are not in place by then. In addition the school has 62 EAL( English as a second language) pupils who have no proper classroom.

Speaking in the Dail last night May 8, Alan Dillon Fine Gael on behalf of the Minister for Education Norma Foley said that the units were at ''delivery stage'' and a project manager had been appointed

Deputy Dillon was responding to a question by Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan who said the school has ''absolutely no room for these children, no sensory or soft play area.''

The school is trying to improvise every way they can and I commend them for that. It's an excellent school, said Deputy Nolan.

Deputy Dillon told Deputy Nolan that ''approval had been granted recently for one special needs classroom, one mainstream and one special education tuition room.''

However, he said it's important to outline that ''the overall construction sector environment is challenging and the department and project management company are doing everything possible to ensure the appropriate accommodation is delivered as quickly as possible.

He said the Department is fully aware of the urgency of the situation and weekly meetings will be held to ensure the project remains on track.

Carol Nolan said it was absolutely vital that the modular units are delivered on time for September. She welcomed the fact that there would be weekly meetings to ensure it is on track. But said the ''clock is ticking. September is not too far away and the school finds itself in a precarious situation that it wants to avoid, not being able to open its doors in September and that's very understandable given the health and safety issues.''

She told Deputy Dillon that the school is located in Tullamore and it has done everything possible to accommodate students. ''It has gone out of its way to make sure that students that come looking for places have been accommodated and that's why it does need every assistance possible.'' she said.