Over 50 children applied for 12 available spaces in a Laois special school, according to a local senator.

St Francis School on the Borris road is the only exclusive special school in the county, providing education for students with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities with co-occurring needs aged from 5 to 18 years.

When the school moved from the Timahoe road to its current location on the Borris road, it saw more applications and soon outgrew its size.

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.  

In 2024, the school applied to build a new two-storey extension comprising four classrooms, specialist rooms, toilets, stores and associated ancillary accommodation. The development also includes the provision of a new soft play external area. 

In the time that followed, the school faced planning obstacles, and operated with temporary classrooms. The school were instructed in 2024 to reduce the number of classes from 19 to 16.

This past January, it was announced that a long awaited expansion of the school was given the green light, under the National Education Sectoral Plan.

This week, Sinn Féin senator Maria McCormack has called on the Minister for Education to urgently fast-track approval for the expansion of St. Francis Special School in Portlaoise.

Speaking in the Seanad, Sen McCormack highlighted the severe pressure on the school, which is currently operating 20 classes in just 14 classrooms, despite the addition of two modular units.

“This situation is simply not sustainable,” Sen McCormack said.

“This year alone, there were 50 applications for just 12 places. That means dozens of children with additional needs in Laois may be left without an appropriate school place," she said.

The school has submitted its Stage 2b report and tender documents, and the project has been identified as a priority. However, Senator McCormack warned that delays at Department level could have serious consequences.

"Behind every number is a child and a family under huge pressure. These children cannot afford to wait on bureaucracy," she said.

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“The school is ready. The Board of Management is ready. What we need now is urgent action from the Department."

Senator McCormack has called on the Minister to expedite approval of the project and confirm funding without delay, to ensure construction can begin as soon as possible.

“I will continue to push this until every child in Laois who needs a special school place has access to one,” the Senator finished.