The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, is to act as the patron for a new special school to be established in Bray for the 2026/2027 school year, it has been confirmed.
The new school, which will cater for children and young people with complex special educational needs up to 18 years of age, is to be delivered through the repurposing of an existing school building. Details on its exact location will be confirmed at a later date.
Tánaiste Simon Harris and Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton announced the decision on Tuesday, April 7, describing it as “a significant milestone for families of children with additional needs in Bray,” particularly given continuing population growth in the area and pressure on existing services.
Speaking following the announcement, Mr Harris said the development would make a meaningful difference for families who have faced ongoing challenges in securing appropriate school placements for children with additional needs.
“This is a day that will mean the world to so many Wicklow families,” he said. “As a Wicklow TD, I know very well that many families have been asking for this, especially in light of the growing population in County Wicklow.”
He said he had been working closely with the Education Minister and local Fine Gael councillors to highlight the urgent need for additional special education places, particularly in the north Wicklow and Bray area.
“Every child deserves to reach their full potential and therefore deserves access to an appropriate school place where they can learn and progress,” Mr Harris said, adding that the new school would help ease stress and uncertainty for families currently travelling outside their local area to access supports.
While the exact location of the new school has not yet been disclosed at the request of the Department of Education, it is envisaged that existing buildings in Bray will be repurposed to facilitate its opening in time for the 2026/27 school year.
Further details will be confirmed as arrangements are finalised.
The new Bray school forms part of a broader programme of special school expansion nationwide.
As part of planning by the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), four additional special schools are now being planned for Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
This planning process included assessments of existing capacity, demand and waiting lists, enrolment projections, and the number of children required to travel outside their local area to access a special school placement.
The NCSE will work closely with families to assist them in accessing the new places that will become available for the 2026/27 school year.
Planning for the establishment and opening of the new schools is described as well advanced, with details regarding admissions processes and the number of places to be offered expected to be confirmed shortly.
Commenting on the plans, Ms Naughton said “more children will be able to access specialist education in their own communities this coming September.”
"We have made good progress in expanding special education provision and we will continue to act to meet with growing demand. Our school communities continue to demonstrate a real commitment to inclusion,” she added.