‘Excellent news’ as new special classes approved for three Donegal schools

Three new special classes have been approved for Donegal schools by Minister for Special Education Michael Moynihan.

The local schools set to be provided with a new special class are: St Columba’s Comprehensive School, Glenties; St Patrick’s National School, Raphoe; and Raphoe Central National School.

Welcoming the announcement, Donegal Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue described it as “excellent news”.

“This is part of the first tranche of new special classes allocated nationwide, which will see a record number of new special classes sanctioned across the country to open for the 2026/2027 school year,” he said.

“This is excellent news for the three Donegal schools, and these additional resources will have enormous benefits for students, teachers, and parents, and I thank Minister Moynihan and his team for their work on this.”

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Minister McConalogue continued: “Everybody is entitled to an education, and in Fianna Fáil we are committed to giving every child throughout the country an equal opportunity at education. Not only that, but the right resources must be there for those who depend on it, and that is why I am delighted with today’s allocation for my constituency.”

“Clarity for parents is paramount. It is fantastic to see the Minister being proactive on this, providing parents and children with that certainty and clarity going into the new school year. It also benefits schools, so they have adequate time to plan for the opening of their new special classes,” the Minister for Sport and Postal Policy said.

In 2026 alone, over €3 billion will be spent supporting students with additional needs. This will include an increase of over 860 special education teachers and over 1,700 special needs assistant posts.

“That will mean we will have almost 46,000 professionals dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs in our schools. Fianna Fáil is the party of education. We are wholly committed to supporting students with additional needs and this announcement reaffirms that commitment,” Minister of State McConalogue added.