
New special school for North Cork
Capacity is also being expanded at two other special schools in Cork. The East Cork Community Special School in Carrigtwohill will have an extra 24 places for the coming school year, using accommodation at Fota Business Park. Rochestown Community Special School will have 18 extra places. The scope of works has been completed there and a contractor has commenced on site.
Education Minister Helen McEntee and Minister for Special Education and Youth Michael Moynihan brought a memo to Cabinet this week announcing 407 additional special classes in schools across the country for the coming school year, including 56 across Cork.
Special schools support students with more severe and/or complex special educational needs in cases where a full-time mainstream placement would not be in the student's best interest.
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Irish Independent
17-07-2025
- Irish Independent
New special school for North Cork
The timeline for making applications to the new special school closed earlier this month and the Cork Education and Training Board is now making offers of places. A principal and deputy principal have been recruited and the recruitment of teaching staff and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) is in progress. Capacity is also being expanded at two other special schools in Cork. The East Cork Community Special School in Carrigtwohill will have an extra 24 places for the coming school year, using accommodation at Fota Business Park. Rochestown Community Special School will have 18 extra places. The scope of works has been completed there and a contractor has commenced on site. Education Minister Helen McEntee and Minister for Special Education and Youth Michael Moynihan brought a memo to Cabinet this week announcing 407 additional special classes in schools across the country for the coming school year, including 56 across Cork. Special schools support students with more severe and/or complex special educational needs in cases where a full-time mainstream placement would not be in the student's best interest.


Irish Times
09-06-2025
- Irish Times
Energy retrofit measures to be carried out at 28 schools in five counties
Pupils in more than 20 schools, across five counties, will return to find electric car -charging points, as well as heat pumps, LED lighting and mechanical heat recovery ventilation systems after the summer holidays. The 28 schools, in counties Meath , Kildare , Wexford , Wicklow and Offaly are to benefit from deep retrofits that will enhance the 'fabric and airtightness of the schools' and 'greatly enhance comfort and functionality ... while contributing to a lower carbon footprint and reduced energy costs,' said a statement from the Department of Education on Monday. The schools will achieve a Building Energy Rating (BER) of 'at least B', says the Department. The programme is funded by the REPowerEU Pathfinder Programme, funded by the European Union (EU). The programme is part of the EU's plan to rapidly reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels following the war in Ukraine . READ MORE [ The 'foot may be coming off the action pedal': Climate plan fails to build on ambition Opens in new window ] Minister of Education Helen McEntee said: 'With an overall investment of €86 million, this is a significant investment in schools through the REPowerEU Programme. 'Despite its scale and complexity, it has achieved remarkable progress in a very short time frame. From the appointment of design teams to reaching tender stage within just six months, the pace of delivery has been exceptional.' She said 40 schools had participated in the planning and design stages of the programme.' Their participation has been essential to the success of the programme to date and we fully acknowledge the commitment and effort shown by each school community.' A spokesman said: 'The Department will continue to work closely with the schools, project teams, contractors, and all stakeholders to ensure smooth and timely delivery of the retrofit works over the coming months.' Applicant schools underwent 'a detailed, staged assessment process with final decisions based on key criteria including technical feasibility, value for money, alignment with programme timelines and compatibility with the overall funding envelope', he said.


Irish Examiner
20-05-2025
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