BREAKING: Tipperary officials welcome the news of eight new special classes for the county

Tipperary public representatives have broadly welcomed the announcement of eight new special classes for the county, confirmed today as part of the first national tranche of allocations for the 2026/27 school year.

The announcement was made by Fianna Fáil Minister for Special Education Michael Moynihan and forms part of a record nationwide expansion, with 168 new special classes approved across 159 schools.

Fianna Fáil TD for North Tipperary and Northwest Kilkenny, and party spokesperson on Education and Youth, Ryan O’Meara said he was delighted to receive confirmation that eight of the new classes will be located in Tipperary.

“These additional resources will have enormous benefits for students, teachers and parents,” Deputy O’Meara said. “Everybody is entitled to an education, and Fianna Fáil is committed to ensuring every child has an equal opportunity to succeed.”

He confirmed that schools included in today’s allocation include Cloughjordan No. 1 National School, St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh and Our Lady's Secondary School, Templemore. Deputy O’Meara also highlighted the importance of early clarity for families, noting that announcing allocations months earlier than last year gives both parents and schools more time to plan.

READ NEXT: Good and bad news for Tipperary dart players at PDC Q-School event

Concluding, he said that more than €3 billion will be invested nationally in 2026 to support students with additional needs, including additional special education teachers and special needs assistants.

Minister Moynihan said the delivery and support of special classes is a central part of his role, describing this year’s approvals as the largest ever sanctioned for a single school year.

“This is the first of several tranches to be announced over the coming weeks, months earlier than last year, ensuring parents know much sooner what school their children will attend next September,” he said.

Independent TD Michael Lowry also welcomed the national announcement, confirming that several of the newly approved classes are located within his constituency. He said the allocations represent an important step in ensuring children with additional educational needs can access inclusive and supportive learning environments within their own communities.

Deputy Lowry acknowledged the work of school principals, boards of management and the Department of Education in progressing the supports, and reaffirmed his commitment to continued advocacy for special education provision.

Fianna Fáil councillor Declan Burgess said he was particularly pleased to see Cashel Community School, his former school, included in the first tranche, along with St Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary, and Monastery School, Tipperary.

“These new classes are very welcome additions for our school communities,” Cllr Burgess said, adding that further approvals are expected in the coming weeks.

The eight Tipperary schools approved for new special classes in this tranche are Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry; Cloughjordan No. 1 National School; Cashel Community School; Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel; St Joseph’s CBS Nenagh; Our Ladys Secondary School, Templemore; Monastery School, Tipperary; and St Anne’s Secondary School, Tipperary.