We, the Parent Associations of Ard Rí Community National School and St Ultan's Special School, have come together under the banner Ard Rí CNS and St Ultan's Special School Parent Associations Unite to express our deep frustration and concern regarding the unacceptable delays in the construction of our new school campus at Academy Street, Navan.

Both schools have been eagerly anticipating purpose-built facilities that will meet the needs of our growing student populations. Funding for school was approved in March 2021. Since then, a long list of politicians and ministers have publicly celebrated the project and promised a quick turnaround. Planning permission was lodged in June 2024, and to date, we have no definite answer as to when this build will be ready for our children. The continued delays in this project have placed immense strain on our principals, teachers, but most importantly our children. Our children deserve safe, modern, and well-equipped learning environments that support their education and well-being. The current facilities are no longer adequate to accommodate the increasing enrolment and the diverse needs of both school communities.

Conditions at both schools are wholly inadequate. Across the two schools, over 500 children from 400 families, almost 50 teachers, and 30 SNAs are affected. Many children with MGLD, Autism, and complex disabilities are currently learning in overcrowded buildings, with no space to play, and lacking the facilities essential to their cognitive and holistic development. Both sites are completely overpopulated, and staff are working tirelessly to meet the needs of the pupils despite environmental challenges.

Generations of children are being affected. Many children who were promised a new state-of-the-art building have long graduated, and at this rate, many children currently enrolled in our schools and who were promised a new school will complete their entire primary education in prefabs and old buildings, not fit for purpose.

Both communities were very excited to see the application for planning permission last June. There is a complete vacuum of information for parents. We need to know what factors are causing the delays, and we need a clear and true timeline of each step from this point to the official openings of the buildings.

We believe that immediate action is needed to prioritise this essential development and to ensure that the schools are built without further delay. The education and welfare of our children must not be compromised by bureaucracy and inaction.

We demand:

• Immediate prioritisation and acceleration of the process by the Department of Education, Planning Department in Meath County Council, and all stakeholders involved, to ensure no further delays. Plus written commitment to same.
• A clear and truthful timeline for the completion of this long-overdue project.  We need to know exactly what the current issues causing the delay are.
• Establishment of a clear line of communication with parents, providing regular updates on progress.
• Full transparency on the current issues causing the delay and what steps are being taken to resolve them.
• Commitment to ensuring our children receive the educational environment they deserve, without further compromise.

We encourage all members of the community to support this petition and join us in advocating for the urgent delivery of our new schools.

This letter and petition will be sent to The Taoiseach, The Minister for Education, Department of Education Planning and Building Unit, Meath TDs and Senators, Navan Councillors, Planning Section Meath County Council, The Bishop of Meath, Chief Executive Louth and Meath Education and Training Board, The Board of Management of Ard Rí CNS, and The Board of Management of St Ultan's Special School.

Sincerely,

_______________________________

Ciara Mc Manus and David Toner

On Behalf of Ard Rí CNS and St Ultan's Special School Parent Associations Unite