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12 Jan 2026
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12 Jan 2026
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Minister Dara Calleary welcomes six new special classes in County Mayo. The additional classes were announced today by Fianna Fáil Minister for Special Education, Michael Moynihan.
Today’s announcement comes as part of the first tranche of new special classes allocated nationwide, which will see a record number of new special classes sanctioned across the country to open for the 2026/2027 school year.
Today sees 168 classes assigned to 159 schools, with six classes assigned in County Mayo.
Minister Calleary said: “I am delighted today to hear from my Fianna Fáil colleague Minister Michael Moynihan that 6 new special classes have been allocated to County Mayo. Included in today’s allocation are Bonniconlon NS, St Oliver Plunkett NS Ballina, Snugboro NS, St Gerard’s College Castlebar, St Joseph’s Secondary School Castlebar and Jesus and Mary Secondary School Gortnor Abbey.
“These additional resources will have enormous benefits for students, teachers, and parents. Everybody is entitled to an education, and in Fianna Fáil we are committed to giving every child throughout the country an equal opportunity at education.
“Not only that, but the right resources must be there for those who depend on it, and that is why I am delighted with today’s allocation for my constituency,” he said.
This forms as part of a greater allocation of 168 new classes nationwide, with more to be sanctioned over the coming weeks.
Minister Calleary went on to praise the work of Minister Moynihan, highlighting clarity for parents earlier in the year cannot be understated. “Clarity for parents is paramount. It is fantastic to see the Minister being proactive on this, providing parents and children with that certainty and clarity going into the new school year. It also benefits schools, so they have adequate time to plan for the opening of their new special classes.
Concluding, Minister Calleary said: “In 2026 alone, over €3 billion will be spent supporting students with additional needs. This will include an increase of over 860 special education teachers and over 1,700 special needs assistant posts.
He added: “That will mean we will have almost 46,000 professionals dedicated to supporting students with special educational needs in our schools.
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