(Ireland) Cork: Schools will add "at least 30 new SPED classes next year"
- The end of childhood
- 5 hours ago
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Feb 9, 2026, CorkBeo: Cork schools to get a total of 30 new special education classes next year
Cork schools will be operating at least 30 new special education classes from next year as demand for places remains high across the county. The latest round of allocations was published today, confirming that three additional schools had been approved for new classes.
This follows another announcement by the Department of Education late last month in which they allocated a total of 14 special classes to Cork across both primary and secondary schools. Aherla, Ballincollig, and Laragh are the latest towns to benefit from the scheme, with three local schools being allocated funding for classes next year.
The announcement was welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North West, Aindrias Moynihan, who described the development as 'a positive and timely support for students and families.' . . .
This comes as many parents are already working to secure a special school place for their child next year, as demand across Cork remains high. In March of last year, a protest was held outside Cork City Hall, calling for additional resources, with demonstrators claiming they were aware of dozens of children who were struggling to find a place for the upcoming academic year.
The affected families said that they have the support of many head teachers and school boards, who are 'crying out' for the funding to provide children with a place in their classrooms. This latest announcement will come as a relief to parents who will no doubt be submitting applications for the new places in the coming days and weeks.
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