A Laois primary school has received approval to proceed with construction works of two new special educational needs classrooms.
Our Lady’s Meadow National School, Durrow, put plans in motion January 2019 to open two new Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) units at the school.
Two pre-fab units were installed while the planning process was underway; they are currently full, with six students in attendance in each class.
Speaking with LaoisToday, school principal, Ms Helen Coe, said the plan is for builders to be on site before Christmas.
Ms Coe said the new classrooms are “badly needed,” and said the school are “delighted” with the progress.
The estimated time of completion is 18 months, meaning the classrooms should be open by the start of the 2026/27 school year.
Once the new classrooms are built, 12 children will benefit on a continual basis.
The price of the two new classrooms will be approximately €2.5 million.
It is welcome news to the county in light of less-than-positive news recently at St Francis Special School.
Principal of the Portlaoise school, Mr John Moran, told LaoisToday that the Department of Education have plunged St Francis into a “crisis” with the news of a three-class reduction being demanded.
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