Department of Education announces nearly 400 new special school classes for upcoming academic year
11 April 2025
The Minister for Education Helen McEntee has confirmed that there will be 399 new special education classes for the 2025/2026 school year.
Minister McEntee said with one more class to be sanctioned, this will create spaces for 2,700 new children in special classes for the upcoming school term.
"The natural movement of children between classes will also free up 1,200 spaces, meaning that there will be nearly 4,000 available spaces for children in special education classes next term,” she said.
The announcement comes amid a nationwide shortage for teachers trained to educate a growing number of special schools and classes.
Published Irish Independent, 11th April 2025