28th January 2026
Powerstown Educate Together National School today marked the commencement of a long-awaited and much-needed school extension, a milestone moment for the school community and a significant step forward in supporting inclusive education in the Dublin 15 area.
Founded almost fifteen years ago, Powerstown ETNS has grown into a vibrant, diverse and inclusive learning community. The school’s pupils and families represent 68 countries and speak 62 languages, reflecting the rich multicultural fabric of the local community.
Speaking at the event, the school’s founding principal said the extension represents far more than additional classroom space.
“This extension is about dignity, equity and belonging. While buildings matter, inclusion is not built with bricks and mortar alone — it is built by people. Inclusion isn’t about finding children the right setting; it’s about making every school the right setting.”
Powerstown ETNS has a long-established commitment to inclusive education, supporting children with a wide range of learning profiles and additional needs, including autism, developmental language disorder, dyslexia, intellectual disabilities, ADHD and children impacted by trauma. The school currently supports 31 pupils in autism classes and 7 pupils in a DLD class, alongside inclusive mainstream provision.
Despite significant space constraints in recent years, the school community has worked creatively and collaboratively to ensure children’s needs were met.
“We have used every available space — from libraries and storerooms to corridors, prefabs and outdoor areas — to ensure children felt safe, supported and ready to learn. This extension acknowledges that work and allows us to do it better.”
The school also acknowledged the importance of interagency collaboration in making inclusion meaningful and sustainable, highlighting its partnerships with the Health Service Executive, local Children’s Disability Network Teams, Primary Care Teams, and the National Council for Special Education through the Sustained Support Programme.
“Inclusive education works best when schools are supported — through professional learning, therapeutic input and shared responsibility. Scaffolding is not a weakness in a system; it’s how inclusive schools are made safe and sustainable.”
The extension will provide much-needed additional space to support inclusive, regulation-first and child-centred learning environments, benefiting pupils, staff and families across the school community.
“Difference isn’t something we accommodate here — it’s something we design for. When the environment adapts, children thrive.”
The school community welcomed the commencement of the project as a positive and hopeful moment for inclusive education in Tyrrlestown / Mulhuddart community.
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