The Minister for Special Education Josepha Madigan has accepted an invitation to visit Ardfinnan National School.
Senator Garret Ahearn issued the invite during a Seanad discussion on Funding schemes for Schools.
The Senator is calling for a special scheme to be delivered for schools with existing Special Education Needs or Occupational Therapy rooms that need upgrading.
The Minister did outline a number of schemes currently in operation for school capital works but agreed to take the proposal back to her officials.
At present schools can apply via the Minor Works programme or the Additional Accommodation Scheme.
In addition a number of smaller schemes are available schools beginning provision for special needs children.
These include start up costs which has a €6,000 grant available or ICT €6,700 or Sensory Room €7,000 or furniture €2,500 or specialist equipment grants for changing rooms or Hoists etc.
Senator Ahearn highlighted that Ardfinnan NS has an Occupational Therapy room that needs upgrading at present.
The Minister said that facilities in all schools needed upgrading to enable delivery of a School Inclusion Model in all future buildings.
The Minister also wished Cara Darmody, a 5th class public in the school well in her Junior Cert Maths Exam which she undertook as part of a fundraising campaign.
The funds raised will be used to support students in both Ardfinnan NS and Scoil Chormaic Special School and over €38,000 has been raised to date.
