The mother of two children with autism has criticised residents from Ballinakill Downs in Waterford city for lodging objections to the establishment of a special school.
Lucy Phelan (44), a patron of the Waterford Applied Behavioural Analysis School, said yesterday she had fought "tooth and nail" to set up a school for children with autism and the objections could jeopardise the project.
The residents' submission to city council states that around 12 children, aged under six, play on a cul de sac at Ballinakill Downs and there was a serious issue concerning safety with the coming and going of additional traffic and parking.
Last year the Department of Education said funding could not be released for the school until "outstanding" issues such as a building could be secured.
Ms Phelan who, along with husband John (46), educates her sons Johnny (11) and Matthew (9) at home, said the department had financed the renting of the house at 24 Dunavarra in Ballinakill Downs and had paid for an architect. The school plans to renovate the house at Ballinakill, a suburb of Waterford city, and educate the children there until they raise funds for a permanent building.
The city council has received 23 objections to the school from residents.
A decision is expected from the city council on a two-year lease by the September 24th deadline.
