(Ireland) Wicklow: 3 schools to add special ed classes; "addressing demand"

May 26, 2026, Three new special classes on the way for north Wicklow schools | Irish Independent

Three schools in County Wicklow are set to receive additional special education classes under the latest phase of the Government’s ongoing expansion of supports for children with additional needs.

The new provision forms part of a broader national roll-out aimed at increasing capacity in both primary and post-primary schools, ensuring more students can access specialised education within their local communities. The announcement adds to a growing number of classes already approved for the county ahead of the 2026/2027 school year.

The three new classes, all in the north of the county, will be located at Powerscourt National School, Enniskerry; St Patrick’s National School, Bray; and Temple Carrig Secondary School, in Greystones.

Tánaiste Simon Harris confirmed the development, describing it as “building on the progress we have already made” in addressing demand for special education places across Wicklow.

The latest allocation brings the total number of new special classes sanctioned for the county for the upcoming school year to 16, with 12 at primary level and four at post-primary level.

The Tánaiste said the additional classes represent “a real step forward for families of children with additional needs right across the county”, adding that the focus remains on ensuring children can receive appropriate supports close to home. . . .

The announcement follows earlier confirmation this month that a further 40 special education classes were approved nationwide under tranche eight of the programme. As part of that allocation, Wicklow secured two additional primary classes, one at Greystones Educate Together National School and the second at St Saviour’s National School, in Rathdrum.

It is anticpated that the continued roll-out will ease pressure on school places and provide greater certainty for families seeking appropriate educational supports in their local areas.  

In January, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore, expressed serious concern over the Department of Education’s sanctioning of new special classes in the county, which she said was “extremely limited”.

She added that Wicklow was a big county with a growing population and it was “vital that our [education] services keep pace with that growth”, specifically special education, which was “falling behind”. . . .