Vital extra spaces for children with additional needs announced for Waterford schools

It has been announced that primary and secondary schools in Waterford will see the addition of 11 new special classes in the upcoming school year. 

The announcement states that seven extra classes have been allocated for primary schools and four for secondary schools. This will be greatly welcomed by parents of children with additional needs who are continuously facing a lack of availability in schools. 

The primary schools that will be provided with extra classes include St Ursula's National School, Holy Family JNS and Gaelscoil na nDéise all of which are in Waterford, as well as Ardmore National School in Youghal and Holy Cross National School in Tramore.

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Secondary schools CBS and Ard Scoil na nDéise in Dungarvan will get extra classes. Then in Waterford, Presentation Secondary School and Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School will also be included in the plans.

Waterford TD and Fine Gael Minister of State John Cummins has said that more schools may be added to the list in due course.

Commenting on the announcement, the TD said: "I want to thank the parents of students with additional needs and the schools that have engaged with me directly over the past several months. I know this is an important day for so many parents which will offer some relief and reassurance."

The extent of the issue, however, will require even more work to be done to provide adequate services for children with additional needs. Minister Cummins said he "will continue to push for more special classes in Waterford so every child with additional needs gets the education and services that they deserve."

The issue of course extends beyond Waterford, with 209 out of 400 classes so far provided for in Budget 2025 being officially sanctioned. 

The Minister concluded: "This is an issue which I am exceptionally passionate about and will continue to work in collaboration with all stakeholders to achieve our shared goal of ensuring there are sufficient classes for children and young adults across Waterford."