The Minister for Education and Youth, Helen McEntee T.D., has announced a major investment of €7.55 billion under Ireland’s National Development Plan (NDP) for the period 2026 to 2030, with a strong focus on expanding school capacity and prioritizing special education.
The funding will support the completion of approximately 300 school building projects currently under construction. These projects are expected to deliver over 22,300 new and upgraded school places across primary, post-primary, and special education sectors. Most of these developments are projected to be completed by 2026 and 2027.
A significant portion of the investment is allocated to enhance provision for children with special educational needs. The plan includes the creation of around 14,000 additional school places in special classes and special schools during the 2026–2030 period. This will be achieved through both the re-purposing of existing school infrastructure and the provision of modular accommodation, where necessary.
The rollout of large-scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme projects will prioritize the most urgent needs. The approach emphasizes maximizing existing school estate capacity and delivering additional spaces through carefully targeted investments. The goal is to ensure the education system can respond effectively to growing demand, particularly in areas of highest need.
