Students face uncertain future
The students face the prospect of not being able to continue their education at another school come September following a decision by the Department of Education.
The National Disability Authority yesterday described the situation as a crisis.
“Once St Mary’s closes there will be no special school for girls who are blind in Ireland,” said chairperson Angela Kerins.
She said three successive ministers of education failed to address the issue.
“Mr Micheál Martin established a high level committee to consider education for students with visual impairment.
“The committee reported to Dr Woods and recommended a National Centre of Excellence. Two years ago a project manager was appointed. Two months ago, the Minister for Education Noel Dempsey decided that the proposed National Centre would not go ahead. A crisis now exists.”
The Sisters of Charity, which runs St Mary’s in south Dublin yesterday confirmed the Department of Education had yet to confirm whether the centre would be open in September.
“Our parents want and expected that their daughters would be transferring to the primary and post-primary facilities in St Joseph’s and Pobalscoil Rosmini, Drumcondra, in September,” said a spokeswoman.
A spokesman for the Rosminian Fathers, which runs the schools, said the problem was the lacking of funding and resourcing from the Department of Education.
The Sisters of Charity spokeswoman said negotiations with the department had been going on for five years.
“We expect the department will provide a suitable alternative. However, if none are available we will do our best and ensure a provision is made.”
Des Kenny, chief executive of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland said: “It is the lack of response of the Department in dealing with the closure of St Mary’s which has been flagged for many years and postponed a number of times by the Sisters which has created this vacuum.”
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