The Irish Government has announced the establishment of four new special schools next year to catering for the increasing number of students with Special Educational Needs (SEN).

The schools will cater for young people with autism and complex learning needs up to 18 years of age.

These new special schools will be built in Limerick City; Enfield, Co. Meath; Gorey, Co. Wexford; and in the South Kildare area. They will be established under the patronage of the local Education and Training Boards – Limerick and Clare ETB, Louth and Meath ETB, Waterford and Wexford ETB and Kildare and Wicklow ETB.

The National Council for Special Education (NSCE) and the Department found that the demand in these 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 is part of the expanded package in Budget 2024 for special needs education, including:

• Up to 2,700 new places for children with special educational needs.

• The recruitment of 744 extra special needs teachers, and 1,216 extra special needs assistants to cater for the increased number of students.

• Up to 400 additional special classes for the 2024/25 school year.

• The expansion of capacity in existing special schools around the country.

• 100 new teaching posts in existing and new special schools, plus an Administrative Deputy Principal, from September 2024, to benefit almost 9,000 children in these schools.

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In the Budget for 2023, an extra €13 million has been allocated to the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). This funding includes various initiatives, including a boost in the count of special educational needs organizers nationwide. The substantial growth in front-line personnel at the NCSE, totalling 116, aims to guarantee a superior and responsive service for children, parents, and schools.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said:

"As Minister for Education I am committed to having an education system that works for all.

"Throughout Ireland, the number of special education placements continues to grow year on year ensuring that children and young people have access to school places which are appropriate to their needs.

"Our school communities have demonstrated a real commitment to inclusion. I would like to thank those involved in supporting the continued establishment of special classes and special schools.

"Budget 2024 dedicates in excess of €2.7 billion to providing supports for children with special educational needs.

"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.

"The announcement of new provision today including four new special schools serving Kildare, Limerick, Meath and Wexford is a significant step forward. I want to thank all of the schools, patron bodies and other stakeholders for their ongoing engagement with the Department and with the NCSE."

Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan TD stated:

"As Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, I am committed to ensuring that every child has a school place appropriate for their individual needs. Special schools play a vital role, and it is for this reason that I am delighted to have secured agreement for the establishment of four new special schools in Kildare, Limerick, Meath and Wexford, parts of the country where need has been highest. I want to thank all those involved in delivering this new provision.

"Budget 2024 makes the biggest-ever commitment to students with special educational needs, representing over a quarter of the Department’s allocation. I am determined to support students and families in securing school places where they are needed. The Department and the NCSE are undertaking significant work with schools to ensure that additional special educational needs provision is sanctioned as early as possible ahead of the coming school year.

"It is a landmark day for parents of children with special educational needs in these areas."