Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
103. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way in which it is consistent with a fair, child-centred approach for the NCSE to refuse to issue a letter of eligibility to a child (details supplied) in south Tipperary; and the urgent steps she will take to ensure the child is not denied an appropriate placement for September 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [69737/25]
View answerThe Government is committed to the continued accelerated provision of additional special class and special school places next year by providing at least 3,000 new places in locations where it best meets existing and future demand. The provision of timely information is a key requirement to support the forward planning of new special education provision.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are the statutory body tasked with sanctioning new special education provision in our schools.
The NCSE are currently reviewing and assessing information provided through the parents' notification process which closed on 1 October.
The new timeline of 1 October was publicised widely and communicated to schools, special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the timeline and process.
This earlier date in October coincides with when schools begin enrolment processes so affords parents the opportunity to enrol in existing classes. Many mainstream schools, particularly at post-primary level commence admissions processes for the following school year on 1 October annually.
The NCSE advise that the majority of children and young people coming through the Parents Notify process and seeking a special class or special school place for the 2026/2027 school year are already enrolled in school and are being supported by existing special education teachers and special needs assistants.
As with other applications for support, it is important that those who come forward after the closing date are assured that they are not forgotten or excluded from the system.
The NCSE advise my department that they liaising closely with the family of the child referred to by the Deputy and will continue to do so. I would stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children made known to them after 1 October in their existing placement with appropriate supports.
At the same time, it is critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible as early as possible to effectively plan new provision.
