Parents Being Asked To Fund Basics As Maynooth Special School Faces Major Funding Deficit

Wednesday, 21 January 2026 10:27

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

Raising the issue in the Dáil, Kildare North Fianna Fail TD Naoise Ó Cearúil warned the school cannot continue under current arrangements.

It's been claimed that a major funding gap is threatening the operation and safety of Stepping Stones Special School in Maynooth, which caters for 42 children with complex needs.

Despite moving to a larger premises in 2022, the school’s funding remains tied to pupil numbers.

Annual running costs exceed €136,000, while State grants and capitation total about €75,000, leaving parents to fund basic necessities.

Raising the issue in the Dáil, Kildare North Fianna Fail TD Naoise Ó Cearúil warned the school cannot continue under current arrangements.

He said outstanding debts of around €80,000 and safety risks linked to an unfinished car park are compounding the crisis.

Deputy Ó Cearúil said the financial pressures are compounded by existing debts, including €60,000 owed to the Department of Education from COVID-related emergency works and approximately €20,000 to KWETB for shared building costs.

He said the school is also operating under "unsafe conditions in its unfinished car park", which has been flagged as a "health and safety risk following multiple near misses".

Taoiseach Micheál Martin acknowledged the pressures.

Pointing to increased capitation for special schools in the last budget, he said the Department of Education will examine the school’s immediate financial situation, including possible emergency support.

Kfm News has contacted the school for comment.