Taoiseach opens special school in Naas
Taoiseach and Simon Harris with Craddockstown principal Kate Steed, Kildare South TD Martin Heydon at the official opening of the special school
THE Taoiseach Simon Harris came to Naas last Tuesday (7 January) for a task very close to his heart, and officially opened Craddockstown Special School which has been operating since September.
The Taoiseach got into politics in Wicklow lobbying for exactly this for his younger brother Adam, calling for a public meeting in Greystones as “an opinionated teenager” frustrated at the lack of appropriate services in the county.
He was joined by Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton, as well as local TD Martin Heydon, and later in the day went to Co Wexford to do the same again at Gorey Hill Special School in Gorey, Co. Wexford.
These special schools provide an appropriate education for students, aged 4 to 18 years old, who have complex learning needs or a diagnosis of autism and complex learning needs.
They are two of 11 new special schools that have been established over the last five years, an investment continues with Budget 2025’s provision of over €2.9 billion to provide supports for children with special educational needs.
“I am delighted to see schools like Gorey Hill Special School and Craddockstown Special School opening in the community, as they provide a vital role in providing tailored education for children with additional needs and are designed to offer children an environment where they can thrive both academically and socially,” said the Taoiseach.
"Although we are making good progress in this area, we need to do more, and we will continue to work hard to deliver for children with additional needs”.
Minister Heydon said: "Under principal Kate Steed this school and it’s staff have hit the ground running in providing a vital additional special school offering for Kildare.
"I look forward to continuing to work with Kate and her board as the school grows and welcomes more pupils in the years ahead."
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State with Special Education and Inclusion Hildegarde Naughton said: "These schools are a place where children will feel welcomed, supported, and valued for who they are.
"It will be a place where they can grow, learn, and achieve in a way that suits their unique strengths and abilities.
"Every child deserves to feel connected to their school and community which will be made a reality in the new special schools in Gorey and Naas.”
