Little Angels: Councillors are confident of resolution

By Chris Ashmore

CAUTIOUS optimism has been expressed that a shortage of places at Little Angels School in Letterkenny can be resolved before pupils move into the new state-of-the-art new school.

In recent weeks, it has emerged that up to nine pupils could be without a place at the brand new facility, which has been built just hundreds of metres away from the existing school that caters for children with a variety of special needs.

Controversially the new school is too small, but hopes are growing that the difficulties can be overcome.

Speaking at the March meeting of Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District Council, Cllr. Ciaran Brogan has stated that he is “confident” that there can be a resolution while Cllr. Jimmy Kavanagh pointed out that the Minister for Education Helen McEntee has indicated that she will visit Donegal in April.

Cllr. Kavanagh felt that there is a strong case for another school of its kind in the county.

Cllr. Donal Coyle, meanwhile, said he was “fairly confident there would be a resolution” while Cllr. Liam Blaney also expressed optimism.

Cllr. Coyle felt that while modular classrooms would be an option, they needed to look at a long-term plan to cater for increased numbers.

Calling on the Council to “write to the relevant Ministers to urgently intervene” in relation to the shortage of places at Little Angels School,

Cllr. Tomás Seán Devine stated that there are nine pupils who face being turned away next September.

“I beg you to please act on this,” he said as he introduced a motion calling also for a task group with the Council to work on the issue.

Cllr. Declan Meehan commented that in a country that is “awash with money” he felt that it was a “crying shame in 2025 Ireland” that people with complex educational needs could not get a place in a school.

However, Cllr. Brogan pointed out that the issue was not of the council’s making, and regarding calls for a task group or a task force, he reiterated that it was an issue for the Department of Education.

He disclosed that back in 2018, Little Angels School had 17 teachers and 73 pupils; now it has 23 teachers and 133 pupils.

“The school has outgrown itself,” he stated, noting that additional classrooms have been made available to accommodate some pupils in the nearby Educate Together school.

He stressed that the Council does not have a role in the matter, and that it was an issue for the Department (of Education) and they would have to “learn from it going forward”.

He explained that there are “people working behind the scenes” and that a council task force would not change matters.

He wanted to set the record straight that it was “not a council issue”.

Cllr. Gerry McMonagle, Cathaoirleach, said that the Department had been told that extra rooms would be required but “they did not do it” and that the gate was “effectively closed” on nine children.

He acknowledged that it was “beyond” the Council but felt it was important for the local authority to show support for what the parents are trying to achieve.

Cllr. Devine referred to plans going back to 2010 for a new school and said that even when they started, it was going to be too small.

He said that a woodwork room and library in the new school are being “done away with” for more rooms.

Noting the comments of other councillors he said that he was happy for everyone to be working together and to help TDs and Senators regarding the matter.

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