(Ireland) Meath: New autism classroom; plans for six SPED classrooms ($8.2M)

Sept 5, 2025, Meath Chronicle: New classroom for students with autism opens at St Pat's CS

St Patrick’s Classical School, Navan, marked a historic milestone on Friday 22nd August, with the official opening of its new special classroom for students with autism. Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee, joined staff, parents and students to celebrate the occasion, which principal Harry McGarry described as “a truly exciting and transformative day in the life of our school.” . . .

Mr McGarry paid tribute to the many individuals who contributed to the project, including school building projects advisors, Noel Merrick and Tom Shannon; architects, David Cullivan and Andrew O’Neill; contractor, Seamie McGarry, and SENO, Emma Craig.

“This could not have happened without the generosity, expertise, and goodwill of so many people,” said Mr McGarry. . . .

The classroom is the first step in a wider development for the school. In 2024, St Patrick’s CS secured nearly €6.9 million [$8.2M] under the Department of Education’s Additional Accommodation Scheme to construct six new special classrooms, alongside funding for furniture and ICT equipment.

Mr McGarry thanked Minister McEntee for securing an investment that will change thousands of lives.

“Here in St Patrick’s, this new Special Classroom will change six lives directly — and it will enrich the lives of every student who learns alongside them. That is the power of inclusive education.”

Minister McEntee officially opened the classroom, praising the school’s commitment to inclusivity and the broader national plan to expand special education provision.