Four Offaly school projects prioritised for construction

Construction of the new school building for Offaly School of Special Education in Tullamore is expected to commence this year or next.

The new school building project is one of four included as priority projects for 2026 and 2027 in the National Development Plan (NDP) Sectoral Plan for the Education and Youth sectors, announced by Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton.

The NDP Sectoral Investment Plan involves a capital investment of €7.55bn for the 2026 to 2030 period.

The four Offaly schools are included in a first tranche list.

Also included in this list are extensions of St Brendan’s Community School in Birr, and Scoil Shincill in Killeigh and a modular extension of Durrow NS.

The new school building for Offaly School of Special Education is to be located at Norbury Woods Avenue, just off Collins Lane, adjacent to the existing Educate Together National School.

Planning approval was given in November last for the two-storey school building designed to replace the existing Offaly School of Special Education at Kilcruttin.

The new building is to include 12 classrooms for pupils with special education needs, on a 2.3 acre greenfield site owned by the Department of Education at Norbury Woods Avenue.

In addition to 12 classrooms, the plans also make provision for a general purpose hall; dedicated rooms for music, home economics, art, daily living skills and practical activity; multi-sensory rooms, library, administration areas, sanitary facilities and associated ancillary accommodation. The new school will also include a GP room and therapy spaces.

Offaly Fianna Fáil TD Tony McCormack said the investment represents a major boost for education infrastructure in Offaly.

“This funding will make a real difference to students, teachers and families across the county. These projects address both immediate accommodation pressures and long-term planning, particularly in the area of special education, which is a growing priority.”

He also acknowledged the role of local representatives in progressing the applications.

“This has been a collaborative effort involving school principals, boards of management and local councillors. I want to thank everyone who worked together to ensure Offaly’s needs were clearly communicated and prioritised.”

The developments form part of the Government’s wider National Development Plan for education, which places a strong emphasis on expanding capacity, modernising facilities and ensuring appropriate provision for students with additional needs.

Deputy McCormack said he will continue to engage with the Department of Education to ensure projects move swiftly through the next stages.

“I will continue to work with all stakeholders to see these projects delivered and to advocate for further investment in schools right across Offaly.”

Welcoming the announcement, Deputy Carol Nolan said she had previously highlighted in October of last year, her concerns that projects for St. Brendan’s in Birr, which were initially approved in 2018, could not be authorised until the Department of Education's NDP implementation programme was published.

The Independent TD had also repeatedly highlighted the urgent need for approval of major works at the Offaly Special of Education, having facilitated an Oireachtas briefing on issues impacting special schools in 2025.

“I think the most important thing now is that the schools see actual delivery. Their inclusion in the NDP is fantastic but we are really beyond the point where we need to see shovels in the ground and works brought to completion,” Deputy Nolan said.

“Announcements are welcome, but delivery is what counts,” concluded Deputy Nolan.

Deputy John Clendennen said the investment would make a real difference for students, teachers and families across the county.

“This is very positive news for Offaly. These projects will deliver additional classroom capacity, improved facilities and enhanced supports for students with special educational needs. The new Offaly School of Special Education, in particular, will be hugely important for families right across the county and is overdue in terms of the current need.”

Nationally, the first tranche includes one hundred and five projects, with an investment of over €1.6 billion, and will deliver 27,000 additional and modernised school places. This is alongside the completion of almost 300 school projects already under construction nationwide.

Deputy Clendennen also acknowledged that a number of schools in Offaly have not been included in the first tranche. “I have visited many schools across the county and seen first-hand the challenges with real and pressing needs that have not been successful at this stage. This announcement is not the end of the process. I will continue to work closely with Minister Naughton and the Department to make the case for those schools to be supported in future tranches of funding.”

He added that the wider investment plan provides greater certainty for schools, through improved clarity around minor works and ICT grant payments, and increased support for maintaining existing school buildings.