Minister Josepha Madigan visits newly opened Special School in Crumlin

Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Josepha Madigan TD, today visited the newly-opened Our Lady of Hope School in Crumlin. This special school first opened its doors to students earlier this school year after its establishment at the beginning of 2021 to meet rising demand for special school places in the area.

Minister Madigan was greeted by the school principal, Sr Edel Murphy, along with school staff, school managers, and representatives of the school’s patron body. Minister Madigan had the opportunity to visit classrooms and meet with students, many of whom did not have a special school place before the opening of the school this year.

Our Lady of Hope School was opened by the Department of Education this year in recognition of the significant demand for special school places in the local area. The establishment and opening of the school helped to ensure that children who required a special school place could access one, with priority in admissions given to those students who did not have a special school place previously.

Minister Josepha Madigan said:

“I am delighted to visit the newly opened Our Lady of Hope School today. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet with staff and students and to thank them for their great work to date. I know from my engagement with parents and families how needed this school was and I was really pleased to be able to approve its opening for the benefit of local children and young people.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of all the staff, students, families, and members of the school community in building the foundations for this new special school, which I know will be an important part of the community here into the future. Building a new school community takes a lot of work and I can see clearly the positive effects of this work to date.

“Our special schools are vital parts of our education system and perform a crucial role. I am determined to continue to support the work of special schools and to ensure they are protected for years to come. The opening of new special schools, such as this one, is a testament to this. The record funding for special education secured in Budget 2022 will ensure the provision of more teachers and special needs assistants in our special schools, as well as additional special school places.”