(UK) NI: Almost 100 temporary SPED classrooms in schools due to "mounting pressure"

June 25, 2026, Northern Ireland special school among most reliant on portacabins as figures show how many needed across region – The Irish News

Almost 100 temporary classrooms are in use across Northern Ireland’s schools, with special schools needing a disproportionate number due to mounting pressure on the sector, new figures show.

Data released by the Education Authority (EA) shows 99 temporary classrooms in use across 63 schools.

The figure counts only accommodation that the EA can have removed at short notice, such as portacabins.

Primary schools account for the largest overall number, with 49 temporary classrooms across 39 schools, followed by post-primary schools with 33 across 19.

A single Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) centre accounts for a further three.

But special schools are by far the most heavily reliant on a per-school basis. Just four special schools account for 14 of the temporary classrooms.

The figures also reveal a stark regional divide.

Schools in East Derry are the most dependent on temporary accommodation, with 17 classrooms across eight schools, followed by Foyle with 14 across eight.

At the other end of the scale, Fermanagh and South Tyrone has none.

Meanwhile, all of Belfast has just 18 temporary portacabins.

By management type, controlled schools, the largest sector in the system — account for 60 of the 99 classrooms across 35 schools, while Catholic maintained schools account for 34 across 25 schools.

Sinn Féin MLA Danny Baker said the latest figures underlined the need for sustained investment in school buildings.

“This underlines the need for a major programme of investment in our schools estate,” the West Belfast MLA told The Irish News. . . .

An Audit Office report published in November 2024 found the Department would need 30 years and £3.2 billion to clear its current list of approved capital projects.

In October 2025, a Public Accounts Committee inquiry found “systemic failure” in the management of the estate and estimated the maintenance backlog at between £600 million and £800 million.

A spokesperson for the EA said the reliance on temporary classrooms in special schools reflected rising demand for specialist places.

“The use of temporary classrooms in special needs schools reflects the significant increase in children with SEN and the capacity pressures in the special schools estate,” the spokesperson said.  . . .