(Ireland) Cork: 8 more special classes in addition to 30 announced in Jan

Mar 2, 2026, Cork’s 96FM, Cork to get 8 new Special Classes for September 2026 - Cork's 96FM

 This is in addition to 30 new Special Classes already announced since January.

Minister for Special Education and Inclusion and Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-West, Michael Moynihan, has confirmed the sanctioning of eight new Special Classes for Cork, which will open in September 2026.

As part of the ongoing work to establish additional special classes for the forthcoming 2026/2027 school year, four new primary and four new post-primary classes will open in Cork.

Minister Moynihan commented, 

“I’m very pleased to confirm that eight special classes have been sanctioned for Cork today, which includes four each at Primary and Post Primary level. A total of 38 special classes have been sanctioned across Cork for September, which includes 26 for primary schools and 12 for post primary schools. “These classes are being announced much earlier than last year, which means parents will have clarity sooner on where their children will be going to school. It also means that schools themselves have more time to plan for opening their special classes for this September. “I am working very closely with officials in the Department of Education and National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to ensure there is increased provision for special classes and special schools in order to ensure all children have access to an appropriate school place. “To date, we have sanctioned over 350 special classes across the country for this September and there will be further classes sanctioned over the coming weeks,”