Demand grows for another special education school in Laois

There are only three special education schools in Laois

Published 2nd Jul 2026, 18:55 BST St Francis Special School was recently approved for four new special education classrooms. There are only three special education schools in Laois Sign up to our Laois Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Laois Live within your account.

There have been calls for a new special education school in Laois to cater for the growing need for special classes across the county.

Many schools in Laois have been granted additional ASD classes in recent months and last week it was announced that St Francis Special School in Portlaoise was given approval for four new special education classrooms.

St Francis Special School is one of just three special education schools in Laois along with Saplings in Graiguecullen and Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise.

The school’s principal, John Moran, welcomed the news and emphasised the critical need for the classrooms.

“With increasing numbers year on year, we urgently need these classrooms. Parents are very anxious about securing places for their children, a situation that must be resolved without further delay,” Mr Moran said.

Both Holy Family Junior School and Holy Family Senior School in Portlaoise were also recently approved for modular framework extensions for two special education classrooms in each of the schools.

Scoil Eoin in Portarlington was also approved for a modular framework extension for two special education classrooms.

Although welcome news, local council and teacher Tommy Mulligan has argued that another dedicated special education school is seriously needed in Laois.

He called on Laois County Council to request that the Minister for Education, Ms Hildegard Naughton, and the Department of Education urgently assess the need for an additional special school in County Laois and commence planning for such a school as a matter of priority.

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Speaking at the June meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr Mulligan welcomed the news about St Francis Special School but urged that a new school is needed to keep up with the needs of the growing population of Laois as well as the more complex needs of some children which are not being catered to in ASD classes.

“I’m predicting that there is going to be a major review in this country in the next few years around the operation of ASD classes. I’m working in what’s called a supply panel this year which means I’m shared between about 10 schools in and around Portlaoise so I’m getting great experience of the range of classes throughout the county in all these schools.

“I’m seeing first hand the challenges teachers are facing each day in mainstream and in ASD classes as well as SNAs. I’m also seeing first hand the difficulties that some children are having in mainstream situations and ASD classes. There are many children who have needs and these needs are not being catered to in mainstream classes. These needs are also not being catered to in ASD classes because they’re not in the right setting.”

The Portlaoise councillor told the council that there are a lot of children with complex needs in ASD classes whose needs are not being met because these classes are designed to suit children with autism.

However, many parents have no choice but to send their children to these classes due to a lack of options.

“They don’t have the option of attending a special school. The educational needs of these children are not being adequately met with the current provision and ASD classes,” he said.

“The purpose of an ASD class is to provide a small structured learning environment for small groups of children with autism. The learning environment is tailored towards children with autism. There’s many children in these classes that are not able to work in small groups or able to engage in curriculum work or integrate at those class levels.”

Cllr Mulligan explained that teachers and SNAs often don’t have the resources to focus on these children.

Read More Legal reasons prevent publication of report on Laois nursing home in Portlaoise Laois safety concern at Portlaoise pedestrian crossing with no lights Dumping in 'no man's land' alleyway in Laois housing estate Laois farmers urged to sign up for prime time health programme He told the council that the three special schools in Laois are at capacity and as the county’s population continues to grow, so does the need for more special education places.

“While ASD classes play a vital role for many children, some pupils with complex needs that cannot be catered to in these settings require specialised support outside of ASD classes. An additional special school is essential to meet the needs of certain children in the county and the growing population.

“The county needs a dedicated special school. It’s great that we’re getting these extensions and classes, but we need another dedicated special school.”