Parents devastated as special classes for children with additional needs delayed until 2027

Rebekah Clarke with her son Arlo who was due to start school last September. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Ms Clarke said of the delays: 'I can’t do this again, my mental health was in the bin in October... I couldn’t come to terms with the fact my child had nowhere to go.'

Delays have impacted the opening of much needed special classes — due last September — until at least 2027, leaving 12 children without "proper school places" and their parents devastated.

Finglas Parochial National School told parents this week that it is “highly unlikely” its two special classes will fully open in 2026, and that 2027 is the more likely scenario.