The HSE has approved €40,000 to fund private therapists in Munster’s largest special school which is also set to share in a €500,000 gift from a mystery donor to groups across Cork.
The decision to fund therapists at St Killian’s on the city’s northside, confirmed on Wednesday by the head of the HSE in the south west region, followed a high-profile campaign by the parents and staff.
Principal Sue Lenihan has already been in touch with a service provider to get therapists into the school immediately.
“While this provides us with a short-term solution, which we are grateful for, we need to make sure that therapists remain in place for the foreseeable future and we will continue to advocate for this until a permanent solution is put in place,” she said.
Chair of St Killian’s Parents Unite, Eibhlín Gleeson, said they are relieved that the needs of their children have been heard.
“We are grateful to all of the people who helped us to get this far, including the staff and parents of the children of St Killian’s and the incredible children themselves who always find a way to communicate their needs despite their many challenges,” she said.
“We remain hugely grateful to all the elected representatives across party lines who met with us, listened to our needs and in turn, advocated on behalf of our children.
“However, we are not there yet. This is a short-term solution. We will continue to advocate on behalf of the school to secure a permanent system of therapists in the school so that our children can access the education that they so need and deserve.”
There was anger earlier this year when the school was denied promised state funding to pay for private in-school therapists it had sourced itself.
The anger boiled over when the school was not included in an ‘in-school therapies pilot project’, prompting parents and staff to protest at the school gates last August.
They have been campaigning relentlessly since to secure funding or to be included in an extension of the pilot project.
The breakthrough came on Wednesday when HSE South West regional executive officer, Andy Phillips, told Fianna Fáil TDs Padraig O’Sullivan and Christopher O’Sullivan that he has approved €40,000 to fund the private therapists for the school.
It is understood the funding will cover the cost of certain therapists until the end of December, at which point the school is expected to be included in the extended pilot project.
Cork North Central TD Mr O’Sullivan said the decision is a testament to the school’s campaign.
“The school and parents ran a phenomenal campaign that they really shouldn’t have had to,” he said.
“It’s now important that we work together to ensure St Killian’s makes it onto the extended pilot project.”
Cork South West TD Mr O’Sullivan welcomed the news and said it is an interim step until the school is added to the pilot programme.
There was more good news for St Killian’s on Wednesday when it emerged that it is among several Cork schools and charities that are set to benefit from a €500,000 donation from a mystery donor.
Four Cope Foundation schools, including Scoil Aislinn, Scoil Éanna, St Paul’s and Scoil Bernadette, as well as St Killian’s, Cork Arc Cancer Support House, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Pieta Cork, and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, Cork City Missing Persons Search and Recovery, and Blood Bikes will all share in the windfall.
The Cope schools are planning new therapy rooms, playgrounds and more day trips on the school bus.
Claire Vernon, principal of Scoil Aislinn on Cork’s Boreenmanna Rd, which caters for 36 students children with autism and complex needs, said they were all in shock and overwhelmed by the generous anonymous donation.
“Scoil Aislinn is in the process of getting a new building and this donation will help greatly with outfitting therapy rooms.
“And the donation will also help to supply us now with new music and PE equipment for all the students.
“People’s kindness continues to amaze us.”
