Minister Martin Heydon, TD for Kildare South, has welcomed the introduction of 14 new special classes in Kildare which will provide essential support to schools and parents across Kildare, as confirmed today by Minister Hildegarde Naughton.
The 14 new classes in Kildare for the 2024/25 school year include 10 at primary level and 4 at post primary level. They bring to 131 the total number of special classes now in operation in Kildare.
Nationwide, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has approved 402 new special classes, with 284 at the primary level and 118 at the post-primary level. This expansion brings the total number of special classes across the country to 3,324 for the upcoming school year.
Speaking following the announcement, Minister Heydon said, “I want to extend my genuine thanks to all our local schools for their unwavering efforts in partnership with the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education.
“This initiative underscores Government commitment to providing inclusive education for all our children in Kildare.
“The new classes in Kildare, including those in Crookstown, Milltown, Coill Dubh, Monasterevin, Allenwood and Gaelscoil Chill Dara, will be a real boost to many Kildare families, offering them the facilities they need for their child to flourish in a local education setting.
“These 14 new classes will not only provide essential resources and support for students with additional needs but will also create a more inclusive school environment for all students, in Kildare and nationwide.
“By integrating these special classes into our schools in Kildare, we are taking a vital step toward creating an education system where every child, regardless of their needs, can thrive and succeed.
“While we have made considerable progress in Kildare, I recognise that challenges remain in ensuring that children with additional educational needs can access school places in their nearest schools.
“It is my hope, in time, we will come to a point where every child in Kildare with additional educational needs will be able to attend their local school.
Concluding, Minister Heydon said, “This development reaffirms our dedication to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential in an environment that is supportive and accommodating. The progress we are making today lays the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future for all students.”
