Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 June 2025
96. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will provide an update on the planned special school in the existing section of a school (details supplied); the expected opening date; the number of classrooms to be provided and the projected student capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34852/25]
View answerAs you are aware five new special schools will be established for the next school year, two in County Dublin and one each in counties Cork, Monaghan and Tipperary. This will bring to 129 the number of NCSE supported special schools in the country.
The new special school in Belmayne will be located in Belmayne Educate Together Secondary School Campus and will operate under the patronage of Dublin Education and Training Board (DETB). The school will initially enrol 30 students and will grow and expand over time. The school's admission process for the 2025/26 school year will conclude shortly and parents will be notified if their children have been offered a place in the coming weeks. Recruitment of staff is also currently underway for the upcoming school year.
My department and the NCSE are engaging with schools and school management bodies in relation to the provision of future provision and are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements will be available for children for this school year and future years.
