Press release
Ministers Foley and Naughton announce approval for new Ábalta Special School, Galway
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton TD have today announced approval for a new permanent school for Ábalta Special School in Galway.
The special school, which currently operates from accommodation at Parkmore East Business Park, Galway, will form part of a campus project with Galway Educate Together Secondary School to be constructed at a site at Gauraun South, Oranmore, Co. Galway. Campus solutions such as this are optimal for maximising opportunities for integration.
The new Ábalta Special School will provide accommodation to expand the school to cater for a total of 26 classes.
The Department of Education has appointed a Project Manager for the project, which is part of a bundle of projects included on the ADAPT Programme. The programme – the name of which is an acronym for Accelerated Delivery of Architectural Planning and Tendering – uses a professional external Project Manager to co-ordinate and drive the Design Team to achieve the best possible timeframe during the stages of architectural planning.
Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said:
“As Minister for Education, it gives me great pleasure today to announce approval for a new school for children and young people with special educational needs in Galway. The expansion of Ábalta Special School will enable it to provide an excellent teaching and learning environment and much broader range of opportunities to many more pupils and their families. This is a further sign of this government’s commitment to delivering an education system that is inclusive, open and welcoming to everyone.
“I would like to thank the entire community of Ábalta Special School and everyone involve in achieving this milestone moment and look forward now to the project developing at pace. The Department will be engaging closely with the school in this regard.”
Oranmore native and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton TD said:
“As Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, I’m pleased that we are in a position today to announce approval for a new permanent school building for Ábalta Special School. This marks a significant step forward for the pupils, families and school community who will benefit for many years to come. Budget 2024 dedicates in excess of €2.7 billion to providing supports for children with special educational needs. Today is a resounding demonstration of the difference that funding is making.”