Additional supports for four special schools in Louth welcomed

Louth TD Fergus O’Dowd, has welcomed details that additional targeted supports will be offered to four special schools in Louth on foot of measures announced in Budget 2024.

St Brigid's in Dundalk; St Mary's in Drumcar, Dunleer; ABACAS School in Drogheda; and St Ita's, Crushrod Avenue in Drogheda are all to benefit from a new or increased allocation of post-primary teaching hours from September, 2024

A key feature announced in Budget 2024 was the provision of an additional €11 million specifically targeted at special schools. This additional funding provides for, the removal of the current 15 teacher threshold for the appointment of Administrative Deputy Principals in special schools, and a further 100 teaching posts targeted at special schools with post-primary aged students.

“The additional Administrative Deputy Principal posts aim to assist principals with leadership and management functions and to support learning and parental and community engagement. Abacas and St Brigid’s in County Louth will benefit from the additional posts from September", commented Deputy O'Dowd.

“Over 50% of the students in special schools are aged 13 years and over and the new or additional post-primary teaching posts announced today will facilitate special schools to deliver a greater range of national curriculum subjects at junior and senior cycle. 

“This measure aims to provide better access to programmes that are age and stage appropriate and Abacas, St Brigid’s, St Ita’s and St Mary’s Special Schools will all benefit from these new or additional posts from September.

“Our local Special schools provide invaluable education to children and young people with the most significant special educational needs and they do an absolutely fantastic job. These additional supports are very welcome and I will be pressing for further special education supports to be made available to both special schools and mainstream schools as part of the upcoming budget discussions."