New two-storey building approved for Offaly School of Special Education in Tullamore

PLANNING permission has been approved for a new two-storey school building for the Offaly School of Special Education (OSSE) in Tullamore.

The new building, to include 12 classrooms for pupils with special education needs, will be constructed at a 2.3 acre greenfield site owned by the Department of Education at Norbury Woods Avenue.

The site is located just off Collins Lane to the north of Tullamore, and is adjacent to the existing Educate Together National School.

The plans also make provision for a general purpose hall; dedicated rooms for music, home economics, art, daily living skills and practical activity; multi-sensory rooms, library, administration areas, sanitary facilities and associated ancillary accommodation. The new school will also include a GP room and therapy spaces.

A new vehicular and pedestrian site entrance from Norbury Woods Avenue is also proposed, along with a covered walkway between the school and the bus set down.

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Cllr Sean O'Brien said it would provide "long awaited top class facilities for the students who will attend there".

"These students are currently attending a temporary facility in Kilcruttin which is not suitable for their needs. The Principal and Staff have done a fantastic job attempting to provide the students with the best possible education and I thank them for their great commitment. I hope the construction of this much needed school commences as soon as possible."

Deputy Carol Nolan said she had consistently raised the capacity and resource challenges impacting the school over the last number of years.

This recently included highlighting the urgent need to include OSSE in the Pilot Scheme on Enhanced Therapy supports with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, as well as the de facto cap on the number of SNA’s the school could access according to National Council for Special Education guidelines:

“I am delighted to see that planning has been approved and that the school can finally see a clear pathway toward expanded facilities for the children and staff,” said Deputy Nolan.

“I know from experience dealing a number of other schools however that the process demands constant vigilance and engagement with the Department of Education in terms of getting us to opening day.”

“As the only special school in the entire county with applications far in excess of what it can currently handle, we all need to work collaboratively to get this across the line. We also need to continue throwing a spotlight on the ongoing challenges that exist around therapeutic support staff and securing additional SNAs from the NCSE.”

“I remain fully committed to working with the school, and the parents and supporters to ensure that we achieve these objectives as soon as possible,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

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