17-07-2025
- Business
- 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.
