Two modular classes sanctioned for St John's Special School
Parents protested at the Dáil last week for educational equality.
On Friday, April 11, the Department of Education announced that 399 new special classes have been sanctioned for the 2025/2026 school year.
The announcement comes as two modular classes have been sanctioned at St John’s Special School, in Dungarvan.
Minister for Education Helen McEntee and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan made the announcement.
Minister McEntee stated: "I am happy to confirm that 399 new special education classes have been sanctioned for the coming school year.
“This will create spaces for 2,700 new children in special education classes for the upcoming school term. The natural movement of children between classes will also free up 1,200 spaces, meaning that there will be nearly 4,000 available spaces for children in special education classes next term."
She noted that the majority of classes will be intended for "children with autism".
The confirmation of classes comes after months of tireless campaigning by parents of children with additional needs.
TD Conor McGuinness welcomed the announcement of the two modular classes, saying: "This progress is very welcome, and it is a testament to the unwavering campaign by parents of children with special needs, and also the determination of the team at St. John’s to provide additional places within the school. I want to pay tribute to the mams and dads that made it impossible for Government to continue ignoring this issue.
“I raised this issue with the Minister for Education in the Dáil yesterday and I made the point that while positive announcements are very welcome she needs to ensure that delivery takes place. The Minister, her Department and the National Council on Special Education need to move mountains to get modular units in situ, and to ensure that staff are in place.
“Ultimately we need to see a significant increase in special education capacity across Waterford City and County – that means extra special classes in mainstream schools and the expansion of special school places through the development of a new campus for St. John’s.”
Fellow Waterford TD John Cummins also welcomed the announcement. He commented: "I have consistently liaised with many families who have been impacted by the shortage of special class places for the upcoming school year and have had multiple meetings with Minister McEntee in recent weeks regarding St John’s Special School and liaised with the NCSE, bringing forward options that I felt could work to facilitate two second modular classroom and I’m glad these were taken on board."
He added: "It is understood that one modular classroom will be facilitated on the existing St. John’s Special School site, while the second will be facilitated on adjoining land."
The Department of Education have been contacted for a more detailed breakdown of the sanctioned classes.
