The Dáil has been told that engagement is under way with the Department of Education following the emergence of a significant potential funding gap at a special education school in Dublin.
RTÉ’s Prime Time reported last night that parents at Scoil Mochua in Clondalkin were concerned that they may have to fundraise to meet the shortfall following changes made by its patron, the Central Remedial Clinic.
The CRC said it can no longer use money it receives from the HSE to fund the school which has 76 pupils with disabilities, citing governance requirements. The CRC had been covering a €120,000 annual shortfall at the school, which has significant overheads given the high needs of students.
Speaking in the Dáil today, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the changes could have a devastating impact on the school and its students.
“The rug has literally been pulled from under the feet of those who work nonstop to keep the school going,” she said.
Leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns also raised the issue saying parents couldn’t be expected to fundraise to cover the shortfall.
“There are parents who are caring for children who have complex needs. They are exhausted.”
Chair of the school’s board, Matt Swain, told Prime Time that the funding coming through the CRC was to be removed “without any real clear plan or pathway to how it will be replaced.”
Avril McStravick, who’s 14 year-old son, Eoin attends the school said parents were concerned about how the school’s costs would be covered.
“Our kids are 24-hour care. We’re exhausted. It’s not sustainable that we can go and do a fundraiser.”
Colin Bell, who’s 16 year-old son Toby also attends Scoil Mochua added that the relatively small number of families in the school makes fundraising difficult.
“With all the extra work looking after a special needs child it’s a lot to ask parents to give up the little free time they have to fundraise more,” he said.
Responding in the Dáil today during Leaders’ Questions, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe said the school and the Department of Education were engaging to try and “find an outcome to deal with the very issues that were highlighted on Prime Time last night and this afternoon.”
“This Government, with the funding that is available to us, wants to ensure that these pupils get the support and care they need and deserve,” he said.
The minister added that there has been an increase in capitation and cost of living funding to all schools along with a rise in the number of special needs staff.
Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald warned that the pressure point for Scoil Mochua “comes within the first quarter of next year so there needs to be immediate action, and this money needs to be found.”
The Central Remedial Clinic, which is also the patron of CRC School Clontarf, told Prime Time its service arrangement with the HSE “relates to health funding which, under Section 38 of the Health Act, can only be used for the provision of healthcare.”
This applies to all ‘Section 38’ bodies, it said.
It added it was, “actively engaged in discussions with both schools around required financial accounting separation and sustainable funding management.
