Government department stalling on a plea from Laois school in Portlaoise for classrooms

The Department of Education appears to have changed its mind on refusing a request for more classrooms for a Laois school but there is still no indication that it will accede to the urgent need.

St Francis Special School in Portlaoise is exclusively focused on children with additional learning needs. It is waiting for the Department of Education to allow it address is short term space needs while officials come up with designs to carry out a bigger expansion.

The pressure for space on the Borris Road school was one of the first issues raised by new Laois TD Willie Aird after his election to the Dáil.

He asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the provision of two classrooms at the school which is operating beyond its capacity despite moving into a new home in 2021.

Due to space constraints, the Department of Education approved a new four-classroom permanent extension in April 2022. The school applied for temporary classrooms to allow the school to manage while waiting for delivery.  

However, it emerged in late 2024 that management was instructed to reduce the number of classes from 19 because there were only 12 classrooms in the purpose-built building which parents campaigned for over many years.   

The school was told last November that the request for two temporary classrooms had been refused by the Department and that class numbers should be reduced to 16.  The school insisted however that it needs the extra space to meet the demand as it already had 45 children waiting for admission last year.  

Former Minster for Education Normal Foley's reply to Dep Aird indicates that her Department had a change of mind on the outright refusal for extra temporary classrooms but has not yet given the green light. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

"I can confirm to the Deputy that the Department has received an application from the school in question for the provision of two temporary classrooms. The school currently has a project for four aa special education classrooms approved by the Department which is currently at design stage of the process," she said.

The reply said over €5.7 billion has been invested in schools since 2020 with more on the way in 2025. 

It said the NCSE has responsibility for co-ordinating and advising on the education provision for children with special educational needs nationwide.

"Over the last two years, the department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special education placements ahead of each new school year.

"The Department continues to work with the NCSE in relation to the short-term requirements for special class and special school places and the more strategic and longer-term requirements. The Department is aware that the NCSE is currently engaging with the patron of the school in question in this regard.

"I want to assure you that the department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education appropriate to their needs," said the written reply.

St Francis provides education to children and young people with mild or moderate general learning disabilities, some of whom have co-occurring autism, sensory or medical needs. The school is under the patronage of the Bishop of the Diocese of Kildare and Leighlin.

The school, which was formerly located on the New Road, serves children and young people from Laois and surrounding counties. The current enrolment is over children and young people ranging in age from five to 19 years.

A Departmental whole school evaluation carried out in 2023 found teaching was of a high quality with 'exemplary' teaching was observed in a small number of lessons.

Overall, it found a very high-quality relationships between staff and children and young people underpinned positive learning experiences.