Department provides new special school in Cork with temporary plot until permanent site ready
The former site of Scoil an Athar Tadhg in the Cork village of Carrignavar, which has been earmarked by the Department of Education for a new special school for Cork. Announced last November, work has yet to start on the vacant two-and-a-half-acre site. The school was expected to open for September 2025.
A new special school in Cork will open temporarily in Fermoy for September 2025, as its permanent site will not be ready at the start of the new school year.
Capacity at other existing special schools is also being âsignificantlyâ increased for the 2025/26 school year to accommodate children who have yet to receive an offer of a school place. The news comes as many families are waiting for school places for their children.
As previously highlighted by the , serious concerns had been raised about the opening of the new special school in Carrignavar ahead of September. TDs and local representatives have been advised that arrangements have now been agreed with the local diocese for the acquisition of the 2.7-acre site.
The scope of repurposing works is currently being worked through by project managers and a design team contractor, with the works expected to start once the design process has been completed. The target is to have these works done âas early as possible in the 2025/26 school year.â
In the interim, the Department of Education plans to open the new school using spare classroom accommodation at Gaelscoil de hĂde in Fermoy. This is a department-owned school building, built in 2017, and has âgood, modern facilitiesâ. Transport arrangements are also being put in place.
The department plans to enroll 24 students in the new special school, and Cork ETB, the schoolâs patron, has commenced the recruitment process for the schoolâs principal. Fianna FĂĄilâs spokesperson on special education and TD for Cork North Central Padraig OâSullivan welcomed the update.
âMy understanding is that the additional capacity [to be created in existing special schools] will be in East Cork and in other schools in the city area. It will give everyone the opportunity to go to school in September but it's just unfortunate that we are in this position again.
âI think the department have questions to answer about how we are here again.
The update from the minister of state for special education Michael Moynihan is âwelcome newsâ, according to Colm Burke, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central. The site in Carrignavar has been vacant for a number of years after the villageâs gaelscoil moved to a new build, he added.
Carrignavar is one of five such projects announced last October, early on as part of a bid to avoid the annual scramble by authorities to find appropriate school places. Former buildings remain in place on site but require extensive work to be brought back into use.
The other four special schools due to open are in Kishogue Cross, Lucan; Belmayne, North Dublin; Castleblaney, Monaghan; and Nenagh in Tipperary.
