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The Plight Of St Gabriel's Special School In Bishopstown Raised In The Dail  

Wednesday, 12 May 2021 11:16

Parents of children who attend the school have long being campaigning for a new building as they say the current structure is essentially "derelict" 

A Cork Sinn Fein TD has raised the need for a new building for St Gabriel's Special School in Bishopstown in the Dail 

43 students ranging in age from 4 to 18 with severe to profound learning difficulties, enrolled in the school, which was built in 1981 

The Department of Education has approved funds for refurbishment work while a suitable location for a new school is found, however parents say conditions at the school have not improved and are calling for urgent repair works. 

Sinn Fein's Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire raised the matter with the Education Minister citing the need for a long-term solution for St Gabriel's Special School. 

Speaking in the Dail Deputy O'Laoghaire says measures are being implemented to meet interim accommodation needs but the real solution is a new building on a new site


"The current building is completely unsuitable. The staff, management and parents of St Gabriel's have done incredible work in making the most they can out of the building, but the reality is that it is long past its sell-by date. 

"Ultimately, the current building is never going to be fully fit for purpose. 

"I have received previous replies from the Minister, on measures being implemented to meet interim accommodation needs. 

"That's all well and good, indeed it is positive, but it is not a long-term solution. The long-term solution is a new building, on a new site.

"This morning in the Dáil, I called on the Minister to give a commitment that there will be a new building for St Gabriel's, that is fit for purpose for the needs of the school. Interim measures are important, but there needs to be a long-term solution for staff, for pupils and for their families. "

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