Families in south Kildare 'desperate' over special class or special school places

A Sinn Féin TD for Kildare South has said that families in the area are “desperate” over securing special class or special school places.

Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh was addressing Minister of State at the Department of Education, Deputy Michael Moynihan in the Dáil on Tuesday April 8 2025.

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh asked for the Minister for Education to provide an update on the number of new special classes and special schools sanctioned for September 2025.

She further asked if the Minister would guarantee these will be open and fully resourced by September 2025, and if she would make a statement on the matter.

Deputy Ní Raghallaigh said: “As a former primary school teacher of nearly 20 years, with at least eight of those in special education, and now as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on special education, I am deeply concerned for the many families in Ireland who are struggling to secure appropriate school places for their children.

“Last week alone, I was contacted by six different families in South Kildare desperate because they have been unable to secure an appropriate place for their children in a special class or school. These are not isolated incidents.

“Parents from across the State have been campaigning relentlessly for years and there is still no sufficient action from the Department.”

The Sinn Féin TD for South Kildare said that the failure of government left parents with no alternative last week but to “take to the streets to sleep rough” in the hopes that their voices would be heard.

While the numbers of new special classes and schools being planned for September are welcome, she said, a commitment was needed that they will “actually be opened.”

Responding to Deputy Ní Raghallaigh, the Minister of State confirmed that up to an additional 2,700 specialist places, made up of 400 new special classes for, on average six children each, and 300 special school places will be provided for the coming 2025-2026 school year.

Deputy Moynihan added: “The NCSE has sanctioned more than 375 new special classes to date, and I think the figure could be up to 390. It is engaging intensely with schools and patron bodies to confirm additional classes as soon as possible.

“Working groups are also progressing the establishment of five new special schools and capacity is being increased in a number of existing special schools, particularly in Cork and Dublin.

“On top of this, there will be well in excess of 1,200 places available through the normal annual movement of students progressing and graduating. There also remains special classes with vacant places in some areas of the country.”

The Minister of State confirmed that there are now close to 4,000 places available for the coming school year, and pointed out the government's commitment to supporting children with special educational needs.

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