Four New Special Schools Announced to Deliver for Children with Additional Needs
- Published on: 7 April 2026
- Last updated on: 7 April 2026
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan TD have today announced the establishment of four new special schools for the upcoming school year 2026/2027; a vital step in ensuring that children and young people with special educational needs have access to the specialist supports and environment they need to thrive and reach their full potential.
The four new special schools will be located in Balbriggan and Citywest in Co. Dublin, Bray in Co. Wicklow, and Monasterevin in Co. Kildare. They will be established through repurposing existing school buildings and will provide additional school places for children and young people with complex special education needs up to 18 years of age. These schools build on the significant progress in recent years bringing to 20 the total number of new special schools established over the last six years. The new schools are strategically located to meet identified local needs while also supporting surrounding areas across county boundaries.
Alongside this, work is continuing to expand capacity in existing special schools across the country, with a particular focus on recently established schools. Planning for the next school year (2026/27) is already well advanced with 387 new special classes sanctioned to date and further classes expected to be confirmed shortly by the NCSE.
The four new special schools will be established through the repurposing of existing school accommodation in the following locations:
- Balbriggan, Co. Dublin;
- Citywest, Co. Dublin;
- Bray, Co. Wicklow and
- Monasterevin, Co. Kildare
Minister Naughton said:
“At the heart of today’s decision is Government’s commitment to ensuring that every child, regardless of their needs, has access to an appropriate school place and with the supports that they deserve.
“The establishment of these four new special schools across Dublin, Wicklow and Kildare, is a clear and decisive step to increase capacity and, in doing so, reduce pressure on families. This means that more children will be able to access specialist education in their own communities this coming September.
“We have made good progress in expanding special education provision and we will continue to act to meet with growing demand. Our school communities continue to demonstrate a real commitment to inclusion. I want to sincerely thank school leaders, teachers, staff and patrons for their dedication in supporting the ongoing establishment of special classes and special schools throughout Ireland.
“Under Budget 2026, more than €3 billion has been allocated to supports for children with special educational needs. This unprecedented level of investment reflects our strong focus on the expansion of provision nationwide”
Concluding, Minister Naughton said:
“We are making tangible strides to ensure that every child has access to a welcoming, inclusive learning environment where they can learn, grow and flourish. Through continued collaboration and careful planning, we will build an education system that truly supports all learners.”
Minister Moynihan said:
“As Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, I am committed to ensuring that every child can access a school place that meets their individual needs.
“Special schools play an essential role within our education system, providing highly specialised supports and learning environments for children with complex needs. The government’s commitment to ongoing investment is testament to this and can be seen again in the establishment of these four new special schools across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. This will be a major support for families across the region and ensure children with additional needs can access their education, underlining this Government’s unwavering commitment to students and their families.
“This is in addition to the more than 380 new special classes that have already been sanctioned for the forthcoming school year, further expanding capacity across the country. I am determined that we continue to work proactively to secure appropriate placements wherever they are required.
“My department, together with the NCSE, is engaging intensively with school communities to ensure that additional provision is approved and established as early as possible. Today’s announcement provides vital lead-in time for admissions processes, recruitment of staff, professional development and any necessary building repurposing works, ahead of the opening of these new special schools for the 2026/27 school year.
“Ultimately, this expansion of provision will support children and young people with special educational needs to achieve the very best possible outcomes, while giving families the reassurance and support they deserve.
“In particular I want to thank the patron bodies involved and extend best wishes to them as they work with the Department and NCSE to prepare and plan for the new schools.”
Notes to Editors
Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board will act as the patron body for the new special schools in Balbriggan and Citywest. Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board will act as the patron body for the new special school in Monasterevin and the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin will act as the patron body for the new special school in Bray.
Today’s announcement of the new schools is an important milestone and will facilitate local arrangements for the planning of school admissions, recruitment of staff, staff training and completion of necessary building works.
It is envisaged that existing buildings will be repurposed to facilitate the opening of the new special schools for the 2026/27 school year. Further details will be confirmed in due course as part of the finalisation of arrangements for the opening of the new special schools.
Over the last number of years, 16 special schools have been established in counties Cork, Dublin, Kildare, Limerick, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary and Wexford. As part of forward planning undertaken by the department and the NCSE, four additional new special schools are now being planned in counties of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. This forward planning included an assessment of information and data in relation to existing capacity, demand, waiting lists, student enrolment projections, and the number of children travelling outside of their local area to access a special school placement.
The NCSE will work closely with the families of the children and young people concerned to assist them in accessing the new places which will become available for the 2026/27 school year.
Planning for the establishment and opening of the new special schools is well advanced. Details in relation to the admission process and the number of places to be offered for 2026/27 school year in each new special school will be confirmed shortly.