I welcome confirmation today by the Minister for Special Education Michael Moynihan TD that the National Council for Special Education has sanctioned a number of additional Special Classes in Cavan Monaghan for the coming school year 2025/2026.

Additional Special Classes have been approved for:

·       St Michael’s National School, Clifferna

·       Ballynarry National School, Ballyheelan

·       St Joseph’s National School, Kingscourt

·       Carrickmacross BNS (2 classes)

·       St Louis Secondary School, Carrickmacross (1.5 classes)

Recently Minister Moynihan also issued approval in respect of the establishment of Special Classes at 8 other schools in Cavan/Monaghan.

A new Special School was sanctioned last October to open in County Monaghan for the school year 2025/26.  I welcome these new Classes and, of course, more provision needs to be made for children with additional needs.  I will continue to highlight the need for additional special education places for children in Cavan/Monaghan and also the provision in a timely manner of adequate therapy services.  At present the delay in children accessing therapy services is totally unacceptable