Minister for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails and Port and Leader of the Independent Group of Ministers, Seán Canney TD, has welcomed the sanctioning of a new special class at St. Colman’s National School, Cummer, Tuam, for the 2025/2026 school year. Today’s announcement brings the national total to 399.

Minister Canney stated: “I am delighted to see another class approved in County Galway, this time at St. Colman’s NS in Cummer. It is vital that children in our rural communities have access to the same supports as those in larger towns and cities. This new class will provide invaluable assistance to families in the Tuam area and ensure children with additional needs can thrive close to home.”

This announcement builds on the approval of a number of other special classes in Galway in the last couple of months, including at:

Craughwell National School

Kilglass National School

Scoil Sailearna

Creggs Central National School

Knocknacarra Educate Together National School

Dominican College

St. Jarlath’s College, Tuam

Glenamaddy Community School

Scoil An Chroí Ró-Naofa, Belclare, Tuam

Across the western region, including Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Leitrim, and Galway, strong progress is being made to increase the number of special education classes and better support students and families.

Minister Canney continued: “With 399 classes now sanctioned for the upcoming school year, this marks one of the largest annual expansions of special education supports in our history. I commend Minister McEntee and the NCSE for their continued focus on this area.”

The Minister confirmed he will continue to work with Minister for Education Helen McEntee, the Department of Education, and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) to advocate for further developments across Galway.