(Ireland) Cherry Orchard: Special school proposed; other special school "currently at capacity"

Mar 30, 2026, Purpose-built school proposed in development plans | Echo.ie

A new purpose-built school for children with additional needs has been proposed to be included in development plans in Cherry Orchard.

The Park West-Cherry Orchard Plan identified the need for a new school in the area as St Ultan’s National School is currently at capacity.

Councillor Daithí Doolan made the case for this new school to be focused on children with additional needs and said that some have to travel a long distance to avail of school facilities that meet their needs.

Cllr Doolan said: “We have children who’ve been told by the powers that be that, if you have autism or if you have mild to moderate special needs, that you may have to travel 40km from your home for an education. 40km.

“So, that creates huge barriers to parents and to children accessing school and I think any of us would find that unacceptable.”

A suitable location for the provision of the school is identified in the southeast corner of Site 6 of the Local Area Plan, located by Park West Avenue. . . .

Under the National Development Plan, €7.55bn [$8.6B] will be spent on educational infrastructure between now and 2030.

€5bn [$5.7B] of this will go towards the provision of additional capacity and the modernisation of facilities with a strong special education dimension to all projects. . . .