The new Síolta Unit at Corracrin National School in Co Monaghan has been officially opened.
Principal Richard Baxter described the opening as a "proud moment for all of us" after six years of "hard work."
He said this project has been six years in the making after the first autism class at the school was opened in 2020 with four pupils.
Mr Baxter emphasised that the project came to fruition through a collaboration involving the Patents' Association, the school community and the board of management which backed the project from the very beginning.
Due to fundraising efforts by the Parents' Association, a new state of the art playground will also be developed at the back of the new extension.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Mr Baxter confirmed that from September 2026, the new unit will be operating at full capacity with both classrooms fully staffed.
He said from the very beginning of this project, the school wanted to be able to offer education to local children with additional needs as opposed to them travelling further afield:
