Extra supports announced for special schools in Kilkenny

Five special schools in Kilkenny can apply for the application of additional targeted supports including increased post primary hours and an additional administrative deputy principal as part of an €11 million project.

Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Hildegarde Naughton announced the details of the arrangements of the supports for special schools which were announced in Budget 2024 this week.

The additional post-primary teaching posts will facilitate special schools to deliver a greater range of national curriculum subjects at junior and senior cycle, providing access to programmes that are age and stage appropriate, and that build on individual strengths and promote progression and transition.

Locally Deputy John McGuinness welcomed the additional supports which he said will have a ‘massive and positive impact’ on the schools involved and will allow for a greater range if subjects for students.
Kilkenny schools who will benefit are St Patrick’s School, Kells Road; Saplings Special School, Gorebridge; The Jonah Special School, Slieverue; Mother of Fair Love, James Street, Kilkenny and the School of the Holy Spirit, Callan Road, Kilkenny.

The additional posts have been converted into a bank of post-primary teaching hours (co-operation hours) and will be allocated to schools on a pro-rata basis, in accordance with the number of students aged 13 and over in the school.

The Minister said that there are a number of special schools who already have the benefit from and have access to post-primary co-operation hours and or post-primary specialist hours. In the interest of fairness, any pre-existing allocation will form part of the consideration to determine any future allocations to schools. If the allocation of the additional hours determines that the number of post-primary aged students in these schools warrants an additional allocation, the existing hours available to the school will be increased accordingly.

The Minister also acknowledged the support of Education and Training Boards Ireland who, together with the National Council for Special Education, have partnered with the Department to support the delivery of the additional post-primary posts to special schools.

“Each special school will be aligned with their local ETB, providing access to a support model for teacher supply in relevant curricular areas. All matters relating to the recruitment, assignment and payment of the teachers concerned will be managed by the designated ETB.

Nationally 88 special schools will benefit from a new or increased allocation of post-primary teaching hours.