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Education Minister Criticised For Repeated Failure To Meet Westmeath Councillors

Friday, 22 April 2022 14:07

They're anxious to address the shortage in additional needs supports.

Repeated claims the Education Minister doesn't have time to address a crippling shortfall in additional needs classrooms in Athlone is not good enough.

That's the view of the Green Party's Louise Heavin, who says local councillors have made four attempts to meet with Norma Foley in the last year.

In response, her Department said they're "continuing to look at the demographic" in Athlone but the minister does not have time to meet.

Coucillor Heavin says, given the town is designated as a growth centre in the government's National Development Plan, 'future-proofing' it in anticipation of a jump in population in the coming years is important.

She says Athlone has already run out of school spaces and supports for autistic children - and warns demand is only to grow:

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