Kildare's New Special School Set To Open At Craddockstown Education Campus On A Temporary Basis

This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.

The temporary location of Kildare's new special school will be on the Craddockstown education campus.

In December 2023, Minister Norma Foley TD announced the establishment of a further four new special schools for the 2024/25 school year in Counties Meath, Kildare, Wexford and Limerick.

This will bring to 11 the number of new special schools established in recent years.

The longer-term location for this new special school, which is under the patronage of Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, will be confirmed in due course.

Kildare South TD Martin Heydon said: “I have been pushing for confirmation of a location of the new school since it was announced as I am aware many families are keen to get applications in for this September.  The demand exists for this new special school in Kildare and I welcome confirmation that it will commence operations for this September."

He added: “It is expected that the new special school will cater for 24 students initially and that enrolment will increase further over the coming years. I am still awaiting details of the admission policy for the new special school which I understand are due to be published shortly. While confirmation of a start up location for the new special is welcome, to facilitate the school commencing this September, I will continue to push for finalisation of a longer term location to ensure certainty for the many families in South Kildare who are awaiting this important school."

Kildare Senator Fiona O’Loughlin said: “I, like so many others, have been hugely frustrated by the delay in the confirmation of the location of the new special school for Kildare. This new school will cater for young people with autism and complex learning needs up to 18 years of age, helping Kildare pupils with special educational needs and their families achieve the best possible outcomes.”
 
“I have finally received confirmation that the location of the new special school will be Craddockstown education campus and that it will be open for September 2024. I will continue to work closely with the Minister and her Department to support those children with additional needs and their parents to gain access to the supports they need.”