Minister John Cummins welcomes allocation of seven new special classes in Waterford

Minister of State for Planning & Local Government, John Cummins TD has welcomed today’s announcement that seven new special classes have been sanctioned for Waterford schools for the 2026/27 school year.

Seven Waterford schools will have new special classrooms as part of the latest tranche of funding from the Department of Education which will see a further 168 classes sanctioned for the next academic year.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Cummins said: “Today the government is announcing the sanction of 168 new special classes across 159 schools nationwide in this, the first tranche of classes to for the next school year. I’m delighted that seven of these will be in Waterford, four at post primary and three at primary level. I would like to thank my Fine Gael colleague Hildegarde Naughton and her predecessor Helen McEntee for the significant work that has gone into bringing forward the date for sanction significantly so that we have less uncertainty on much needed special class places right across the country. This is something which parents have continually called for, so I am delighted to see the sanction dates being brought forward.”

The seven Waterford schools are:

• Ard Scoil na nDeise, Dungarvan (Post-Primary)

• Ard Scoil Na Mara, Tramore (Post-Primary)

• Waterpark College, Waterford (Post-Primary)

• Presentation Secondary School, Waterford (Post-Primary)

• Scoil an Baile Nua, Kilmacthomas (Primary)

• Bunscoil Bothar na Naomh, Lismore (Primary)

• Mount Sion CBS National School, Waterford (Primary)

Minister Cummins added: “this is an area I am deeply passionate about and I have consistently worked with schools, parents and line Minister to ensure that Waterford is prioritised when it comes to the availability of special class places. Last year, sixteen special classes were added across Waterford demonstrating the need that exists and I know these seven classes in tranche one will be welcomed by parents groups. I would like to put on record my thanks to the schools involved for their leadership in promoting inclusive education.

“A centralised admissions portal is also being trailed in a number of locations which I know the Minister is committed to rolling out nationally”.

Further classes will be announced the coming weeks.