(Ireland) 'With increasing numbers year on year' new special school needed

July 2, 2026, Laois Live: Demand grows for another special education school in Laois

There have been calls for a new special education school in Laois to cater for the growing need for special classes across the county.

Many schools in Laois have been granted additional ASD classes in recent months and last week it was announced that St Francis Special School in Portlaoise was given approval for four new special education classrooms.

St Francis Special School is one of just three special education schools in Laois along with Saplings in Graiguecullen and Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise.

The school’s principal, John Moran, welcomed the news and emphasised the critical need for the classrooms.

“With increasing numbers year on year, we urgently need these classrooms. Parents are very anxious about securing places for their children, a situation that must be resolved without further delay,” Mr Moran said.

Both Holy Family Junior School and Holy Family Senior School in Portlaoise were also recently approved for modular framework extensions for two special education classrooms in each of the schools.

Scoil Eoin in Portarlington was also approved for a modular framework extension for two special education classrooms.

Although welcome news, local council and teacher Tommy Mulligan has argued that another dedicated special education school is seriously needed in Laois.

He called on Laois County Council to request that the Minister for Education, Ms Hildegard Naughton, and the Department of Education urgently assess the need for an additional special school in County Laois and commence planning for such a school as a matter of priority.