Offaly School of Special Education in Tullamore is the only dedicated special school in the county. Forty-two pupils from all over Offaly, and its borders, are catered for and they range in age from four to eighteen. They all have a diagnosis of Severe/Profound intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder combined with an intellectual disability. The majority are non-verbal and many also have physical disabilities.  

At present the school is in a temporary building which lacks many of the basic resources and facilities that purpose-built special schools have. The only current option to provide the pupils with much-needed recreational activities is to travel outside of the school grounds, which is very costly because the school does not have its own transport. 

Not only do these kids deserve to be able to go swimming, horse-riding etc just like their peers, they need to be able to. The benefits of these activities are immeasurable. Having equal access to sports and recreational resources can enhance their motor skills, social and communicating abilities, as well as improve their overall health and well-being. Like all children, those with special needs will mature physically, socially and emotionally when participating regularly in recreational activity. While the school is funded by the Department of Education, the financial implication of providing recreational activities in this special school is exacerbated by the current location and the requirement for accessible buses, plus the necessity for specialised equipment such as hoists often resulting in them having to travel outside of the immediate locality to suitable facilities, all at an additional cost.  

In addition to therapeutic recreational play activities, the children also require services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, physiotherapy, social work and psychology and these are all seriously underfunded at present. 

This is why we want to raise as much money as possible so that the school can increase the frequency and variety of therapies that they can offer these very special children.