Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 December 2025
469. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of parents who have submitted a notification to the NCSE by the 1 October deadline requesting a special school place for the 2026-2027 school year in Dublin, by postcode, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71947/25]
View answerThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
This notification process will provide the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary level as well as details on students who require a place for the first time.
The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information provided through the Parents Notify process which closed on 1 October to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE will also consider vacant places in existing special classes and places that will become available through the regular transition of children from primary to post-primary schools. Once this analysis is completed the NCSE will be equipped to engage with schools to open new special classes in relevant areas.
The new timeline was publicised widely and communicated with schools and 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 process and timeline, and consequently report a significant level of engagement from families before 1 October.
I would like to stress that the NCSE will continue to support all children and young people made known to them after 1 October in their existing placement with appropriate resources. However, it is critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible, as early as possible, to effectively plan what new provision.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs and will continue to review where new specialist provision is required.
