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13 Jan 2026
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13 Jan 2026
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Deputy John McGuinness has welcomed the announcement
Leas Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil TD, John McGuinness, has today warmly welcomed the announcement of six new special classes for Kilkenny schools.
The announcement was made by the Fianna Fáil Minister for Special Education, Michael Moynihan, as part of the first tranche of new special classes allocated nationwide, which will see a record number of special classes sanctioned to open for the 2026/2027 school year.
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The announcement confirms that 168 new special classes have been assigned to 159 schools across the country, including six for Kilkenny. This represents a significant step forward in ensuring that children with additional educational needs can access appropriate supports within their own communities.
Welcoming the announcement, Deputy McGuinness said:
“I very much welcome the announcement by Minister Michael Moynihan, which will deliver much-needed special classes for children and families across Carlow and Kilkenny. These additional classes will make a real and positive difference by ensuring that more children can access the supports they need in local schools.”
“The allocation of six new special classes in Kilkenny reflects the growing demand for special education provision in our area and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to meeting that need in a planned and responsive way.”
Deputy McGuinness added that the announcement forms part of a wider national programme, with more special classes to be sanctioned over the coming weeks as part of this year’s planning process.
Looking ahead to 2026, Deputy McGuinness highlighted the scale of the Government’s investment in special education:
“In 2026, over €3 billion will be spent supporting students with additional needs, including the recruitment of more than 860 additional special education teachers and over 1,700 additional special needs assistants. This level of investment underlines a clear commitment to inclusion and to supporting children, families and schools.”
Deputy McGuinness concluded by thanking Minister Moynihan and the Department of Education for their continued engagement with schools and families in Kilkenny.
The Kilkenny school who will receive the additional classes are Bennettsbridge National School,
Gaelscoil Osraí, Presentation Primary School (two classes) and CBS Kilkenny (two classes).
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