Delays in Scoil Chiaráin redevelopment “unacceptable”

Dublin North-West TD Dessie Ellis has criticised the persistent delays associated with the redevelopment of Scoil Chiaráin.

Speaking in the Dáil, Ellis said that the school has had structural problems for over a decade that “no school should have to endure,” and said that urgent action was needed to fix the school.

The school was founded to help students with mild to moderate educational needs.

Ellis noted that many children who attended the school “struggle” in mainstream education and schools such as Scoil Chiaráin were vital to their development and well-being.

“Scoil Chiaráin teaches children, through adaptive programmes, the life skills and coping mechanisms they need as they grow into young adults and become confident members of their community,” he said. 

Despite the positives, Ellis noted that as long ago as 2012 the school started on a redDeevelopment plan but has not received adequate help from the Department of Education.

A report commissioned by the school found that the foundations of the school were unstable and there were major problems with the sewage system, and the school building itself was deemed “not fit for purpose.”

The Department of Education agreed to a new build in 2020, planning permission was submitted in August 2021, and the disability access and safety certificate were granted in February 2022.

Since then, parents have been left in limbo according to Ellis.

“With everything effectively in place, the parents are at a loss to know when construction is to begin on-site,” he said.

Ellis outlined a laundry list of problems, such as there being no library or quiet reading space for the children, no rooms for therapists to come in and carry out assessments, only one disabled toilet is in place, and there simply not being enough classrooms to safely accommodate all the students.

“Contrary to the methodology of the school, classrooms are in danger of becoming overcrowded. Therefore the school cannot accept many children who have applied because of the lack of classroom capacity,” Ellis said.

The Sinn Féin TD said the problems he listed are not “comprehensive” and said that the school simply needs answers and commitment from government on when the issues will be rectified.

Fianna Fáil junior Minister Dara Calleary referred to the party line of the school being under the remit of Government’s Project Ireland 2040 scheme and claimed the redevelopment of the school is progressing at an “accelerated rate” despite Ellis laying out the timetable of delays.

Defending the delays, Calleary said, “while the original project brief was to deliver a new extension and refurbishment of the current school building, it was agreed, following a review by the design team to revise the project scope to deliver a new replacement school at the current site, in Glasnevin.”

Offering an update on the sluggish redevelopment, Calleary confirmed the project is currently close to completion of the second stage of the architectural design process which will then progress to the tender stage.

Calleary stated that projects such as these are subject to “relevant due diligence by the Department at each stage in the process”.

Ellis called the delays “unacceptable” and expressed frustration at the minimal progress made since 2021.

“These children are being treated abysmally. The pupils and the families are not being treated in a proper fashion. It is not good enough. The people want to meet the Minister and representatives of the Department. They want to outline the problems they face. I have listened to the parents about all the work that has been done and the effect it is having on the children and how they are progressing at this school,” he said.

Calleary defended the delay, stating “there have been considerable changes to the design and plan of the school. The Department is aware of the current condition of the buildings at Scoil Chiaráin. It is committed to progressing the major school building project and to assist the school to maintain its existing accommodation pending the delivery.”

He said that the Department of Education is “currently reviewing all its building projects in light of the new, revised allocations,” and said he would raise the issue with Minister for Education Norma Foley.

Government inaction on special education has become prevalent on the Northside in recent months.

In an April edition of the Northside People, a school in Dublin 15 discussed the lack of provisions being made to children with intellectual disabilities and the major delays involved with getting those same children seen by a medical professional.

Helena Tranch, principal of the Powerstown Educate Together National School, said the situation was “not acceptable” and called on Government to provide the support she states is necessary to help the children with additional needs. 

Speaking to Northside People, Tranch said that the situation “isn’t even like a lottery” when it comes to allocation of resources, and is more akin to a “systemic failure.”

Tranch said she was in contact with people from the Department of Finance and stated that there is “no onus” within the system to help out schools. 

“We have TDs from the Northside of Dublin in power like Paschal Donohoe, but there seems to be no rush or desire to change things,” she said in April.

In the East edition of Northside People, a series of articles were run about graduates of the St. Michael’s day centre in Baldoyle being left without a place in day services following their graduation after a lapse in communication between the Department of Education and parents of the school.

The issue ran from June of last year and was not resolved until November when the graduates finally secured day centre placements after months of tireless campaigning from parents and pressure being put on the Department of Education.