Boost for Special Education in Kildare—But Gaps Remain

18 new classes confirmed as part of national rollout, with calls for more places to meet growing dema

The National Council for Special Education announced that county Kildare will receive an additional 18 special education classes for the 2026/2027 academic year, as part of a wider national rollout.

The expansion is aimed at supporting students with additional needs within mainstream education settings. 

While most students are accommodated in mainstream classrooms, those with more complex needs are supported through special classes and special schools—part of Ireland’s broader policy on inclusive education.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in provision, with more than 30,000 students now enrolled in special classes and special schools nationwide. 

For the current school year, nearly 4,000 specialist places were made available, including 406 new special classes.

In Kildare, 148 special classes are now in operation, alongside six special schools catering for approximately 359 students.

The announcement forms part of the first phase of new allocations for the upcoming school year, with 168 classes approved nationwide so far.

Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O'Loughlin welcomed the news saying "it was really important that we do everything we can to provide school places for those with extra and special needs to be in their community". She went on to say "the need is greater and we need to do all that we can to support  our children with extra needs. In 2025,we have had 66 special classes across Kildare South." She also said, "much has been done, but we have a lot more to do". 

Kildare South Labour TD Mark Wall says the announcement does not go far enough.

He says just six of the 18 new classes in Kildare have been allocated to Kildare South, describing the figure as “nowhere near enough” to meet demand.

Deputy Wall says he is dealing daily "with parents struggling to secure school places, with some applying to dozens of schools without success."

He warns that many of the newly announced classes are already effectively full.

He has also criticised what he describes as a lack of flexibility from government, claiming some schools willing to open additional classes are not being permitted to do so.

Deputy Wall says more urgent action is needed, warning that without further provision, some children could still be left without a school place this September.

The Department of Education and the NCSE say they remain committed to expanding capacity and ensuring every child is supported to reach their full potential within the education system.

The full list of Kildare schools to receive additional special education classes in the 2026/27 academic year can be seen below: