Four new special schools to be established next year

Education Minister Norma Foley said the announcement is a “significant step forward” adding that the number of special education placements continues to grow year on year. File picture: Collins Photos

Four new special schools across the country will be established next year due to the increasing number of students with Special Educational Needs, Norma Foley has announced.

The schools are being sanctioned as early as possible as part of advanced planning to meet the needs of students with special educational needs due to start school next September. The four new special schools will be established for the 2024/25 school year in Limerick City, Enfield in Meath, Gorey in Wexford and in the South Kildare area.

The schools will initially enrol about 120 students in total next September and gradually increase numbers over the coming years. They will be established by renovating existing unused school buildings to modern standards, or by re-purposing school buildings on school campuses with spare capacity.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said planning for the establishment and opening of the new special schools will begin immediately.

This will include a determination of the size of the school required so that the necessary staff recruitment, school policy development and related arrangements can be put in train. Analysis carried out by the National Council for Special Education (NSCE) and the Department of Education found that the level of need in these particular areas could not be catered for by expanding places in existing special schools.

These additions to the country’s existing network of 130 special schools follow the establishment of seven special schools in Dublin and Cork over the past four years.

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Education Minister Norma Foley said the announcement is a “significant step forward” adding that the number of special education placements continues to grow year on year.

“This announcement reflects the very strong emphasis on forward planning and roll-out of provision for children and young people with special educational needs.

“I am pleased that we are making real progress in meeting the needs of our young people and collaborating in new ways to ensure every child has access to a welcoming and inclusive environment to learn and flourish,” she said.

Minister for Special Education Josepha Madigan said it is a “landmark day” for parents of children with special educational needs in these areas. “Today’s announcement allows more time than ever before for the planning of school admissions, recruitment of staff, staff training and completion of any necessary building works in preparation for the opening of these new special schools for the 2024/25 school year,” she said.