Plan for new special school in Cork will come as a 'welcome relief' to many families, says TD

A Cork TD has welcomed the announcement that Cork is to receive a new special school, set to open in 2025/2026.

The new special school in Cork is to be one of five to be established around the country to cater for the increasing number of students with special educational needs. 

The announcement of the new special schools, in counties Cork, Monaghan, and Tipperary — with two schools in Dublin — was made by Education Minister Norma Foley and minister of state with responsibility for special education Hildegarde Naughton.

It was welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central Pádraig O’Sullivan.

Anxiously awaiting

“The confirmation of additional capacity for the Cork area will be a huge relief to many families that are anxiously awaiting a school place,” he said.

“I think it reflects the Government’s commitment to expanding the provision of special education and ensuring that we strive to ensure that every child has a suitable school place.

“While there is a lot more work needed in this area, we are certainly making progress and placing a strong emphasis on forward planning.”

Mr O’Sullivan said the school was being sanctioned as early as possible as part of advanced forward planning for the next school year 2025/2026.

“While the location of the new school is yet to be announced, I understand from speaking with various stakeholders that the establishment of a school north of the city and in the surrounding hinterland could alleviate capacity issues in existing schools, and reduce the numbers of students being taxied in to the city daily,” said Mr O’Sullivan

“The need for another school exclusively for children with autism, or dual diagnosis, also needs to be considered as part of any forward planning.

“I’d like to thank minister Foley and minister Naughton for their input and for listening to the needs of Cork, and to John Kearney and his team in the National Council for Special Education.”