Minister Darragh O’Brien welcomes 40 New Special Classes and a New Special School for 2025/2026

Minister for Transport and Minister for the Climate, Enviroment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien, has welcomed the announcement of 40 additional special classes in Dublin Fingal East for the 2025/2026 school year. These new classes will be located in schools across Malahide, Swords, Donabate, Portrane, and Portmarnock, bringing the total number of special classes in North County Dublin to 342—comprising 256 at primary level and 86 at post-primary level.
 
In addition, Belmayne Community Special School has been confirmed as one of five new special schools set to open nationwide in 2025/2026, to meet the growing demand for specialist education places in North Dublin. There are currently 19 special schools in North County Dublin supporting approximately 1,000 students.
 
Commenting on the expansion, Minister O’Brien said: “It is vital that every student is supported to reach their full potential and that our education system is fully inclusive. Enabling children with special educational needs to access high-quality education is a real priority for this Government.
 
When negotiating the Programme for Government—something I was proud to be part of—our commitment was clear: to continue expanding the number of special schools and special classes across the country, so that children can access education within their own communities.”
Minister O’Brien concluded by acknowledging the community’s efforts:
“I also want to sincerely thank the parents, teachers, and school leaders who have worked so hard on the ground to make this possible. I also want to thank my colleague, Minister Micheál Moynihan, with whom I will continue working to ensure additional special school places are delivered for this area.”

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