Expansion plan for Monaghan Special School
The Department of Education and Youth is currently working on a design proposal for modular accommodation at Monaghan Community Special School, located in Castleblayney.
The update was furnished to Cavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) at a meeting last week in Cavan Institute. The project has received approval to proceed to tender/construction in 2026/27 under the National Development Plan for Education and Youth.
Parents and politicians had impressed upon the Minister for Education the need for a dedicated new school for children with special needs when Hildegarde Naughton visited the facility in late January.
“The immediate priority for Monaghan Community Special School was to increase the capacity,” Minister Naughton told the Celt.
The schools has been operating temporarily in the old Castleblayney College since October 2025 with 18 children enrolled and more on a waiting list.
“We’re also working on another classroom for six more children,” revealed Minister Naughton in Monaghan.
Asked directly if a new build is a priority, she said: “A new build will take longer, that’s just being completely honest.”
The Special Needs Active Parents (SNAP) group has also called for a purpose-built new school on a suitable site.
'Unsuitable site'
Speaking on the latest development at last week's CMETB meeting, Joe McGrath, representing the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, said that the Castleblayney site is unsuitable for modular accommodation.
“I would caution against that. We should be making an application for a permanent building for the school. We have a proper school in Cavan and the people of Monaghan are also entitled to a purpose-built school.”
Support therapists
During his report, Director of Schools Paddy Flood said that support staff such as Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists would be available to the students of the Monaghan Community Special School on-site.
Warmly welcoming the news, as “such a good idea”, CMETB Chairperson April Anna Barker enquired if the therapists would be in-situ. Mr Flood said that the “model had not been totally thrashed out” yet, adding that parental support would be essential.