New special school for North Cork
North Cork is to get a new 24-pupil special school based in the vacant former primary school building in Carrignavar. Until the repurposing works at that building are completed by year’s end, the new North Cork Community Special School will operate in Fermoy, using spare accommodation at Gaelscoil De Híde.
The timeline for making applications to the new special school closed earlier this month and the Cork Education and Training Board is now making offers of places. A principal and deputy principal have been recruited and the recruitment of teaching staff and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is in progress.
Capacity is also being expanded at two other special schools in Cork. The East Cork Community Special School in Carrigtwohill will have an extra 24 places for the coming school year, using accommodation at Fota Business Park. Rochestown Community Special School will have 18 extra places. The scope of works has been completed there and a contractor has commenced on site.
Published in the Irish Independent, 17th July 2025