A new inclusive special class has been approved for a Laois primary school.

St. Mary’s CBS Post Primary Portlaoise is set to receive a new special class in the 2026/2027 academic year.

The school will receive €30,000 for potential works necessary to accommodate this class, such as the repurposing of an existing classroom or the installation of a prefab.

Fianna Fáil Deputy Sean Fleming TD welcomed this announcement.

"This new class helps students with additional needs learn alongside other students in mainstream classes whilst also having time during the day to receive extra support in a special class," the Deputy told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"Students can move between mainstream classes and special classes depending on what support they need at any time during the day."

This new inclusive class will create more jobs in the school, with 1.5 teaching posts and two special needs assistant roles created.

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"This new class will see enhanced capitation funding, access to National Council for Special Education (NCSE) training and support, a €30,000 start up grant for furniture and equipment and funding for minor building or repurposing works, where required," the TD said.

"I look forward to this new inclusive special class for students being in place for the next school year in September 2026," he finished.

On March 13, the Leinster Express / Laois Live reported that permission has been granted for seven new special classes in schools across the county.

These new classes will create 42 new school places for students with additional needs around the county, amid a current crisis for school places. 

Gaelscoil Phort Laoise has been earmarked for a brand new ASD class, along with Scoil Bhríde Clonaslee. Both primary schools will see six new places made available per class.

Portarlington will see the creation of 12 new places across two primary schools, with Presentation Primary School in Portarlington and Scoil Phadraig both granted permission to open new special classes.

Our Ladys Meadow National School in Durrow has also been granted permission for a new special class. In 2024, the Durrow primary school was granted planning permission to construct two special educational needs classrooms.

Secondary school Heywood CS in Ballinakill has also received permission to establish an additional special class for students.

At primary level, a school is allocated one teacher and two special needs assistants for each new special class. At post-primary level, 1.5 teaching posts and two special needs assistants are provided.