The Building Is "Letting Them Down": Parents Highlight "Heartbreaking" State Of Saplings Special School

The school has seen little renovation despite decades of use.

A social media post by Maud Nolan of Naas Point has sparked concern over the state of Saplings Special School in Kill.

Nolan described her recent visit, initially intended to bring joy during a Santa event, as turning into heartbreak when she witnessed the deteriorated condition of the school building.

In her post, Nolan expressed disbelief at the lack of support, saying, "I was shocked and deeply saddened."

Saplings Special School, originally Kill National School, was built in 1950.

It has seen little renovation despite decades of use.

Parents and staff have shouldered the burden of maintaining the facility, relying heavily on fundraising efforts.

However, issues like outdated heating systems and poor electrical infrastructure have left the school in need of an overhaul.

Speaking on Kildare Today, Maud said the building has become "dilapidated over time".

She said it needs to rewired and re-plumbed.

"It's years of deterioration. It's not suitable. The toilets are not wheelchair accessible. The bones of the building need to be put right. The building itself, as it stands right now, is not suitable for the needs of the children being cared for at the school," she said.

She added: "The joy is coming from the children and teachers but the building is letting them down. If you go down to Jungle Den, they have a better sensory area than the school - that's wrong."

She said she will set up an open evening to enlist the skills of locals who can help in any way.

Principal Alan Brennan said there have been extensions over the years but "it is certainly not a modern building designed for children with special needs".

"All of the improvements we've made have been through donations and have been done with the intention of providing our children with a more suitable environment which supports their needs and abilities. Some of these improvements include a sensory room, ball pit room and outdoor play equipment which are essential resources to have at hand to support children with Autism and Complex Needs. This is where our donated money should be spent and is common practice in other schools around the country," he said.

He added: "The building, however, is in need of a massive refurbishment to bring it up to today's standards. We don't receive enough financial support from the department in terms of grants to do this and therefore we rely heavily on our donations to simply keep the building functioning as a school."

"Any visitors we have to the school always comment on how well we have used the space and how lucky we are to have it, but also comment on how old and rundown the building is. I believe that it certainly wouldn't pass any of today's building standards or regulations," he said.

In a statement to Kfm this morning, a spokesperson for the Department of Education said they have advised the school about the Emergency Works Scheme and said it will prioritise any application submitted.

They said there is also a modular accommodation project planned for the school.

Also speaking on the show, parent Ciara Dunne, said the school has not changed much since it was built around 74 years ago.

She said the next step is to apply for the Emergency Works scheme.

"Everything we get goes directly into Saplings," she said.

You can listen to the full interview below.