Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1139. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the rationale for the 1 October deadline for applications requiring a letter of eligibility from the National Council for Special Education for enrolment in special schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74812/25]
View answer1140. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if there is a legislative basis for the 1 October deadline applied by the National Council for Special Education for letters of eligibility for special school enrolment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74813/25]
View answer1141. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider waiving or extending the 1 October deadline for NCSE letters of eligibility in exceptional circumstances where a child’s assessment changes after that date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74814/25]
View answer1142. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the way the National Council for Special Education communicated the introduction of the 1 October deadline to parents and schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74815/25]
View answer1143. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason parents are being prevented from applying to special schools without a letter of eligibility when schools’ admission policies remain in place and receipt of such a letter does not guarantee a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74816/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1139 to 1143, inclusive, together.
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students 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 through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
This 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 consequently report a significant level of engagement and contact from families before 1 October.
This earlier date was introduced to ensure the NCSE can provide clarity for families earlier than in previous years. It will also support forward planning and equip the NCSE with timely information as to what students would be leaving school, transitioning to post-primary specialist places or those seeking specialist placement and entering the education system for the first time.
The new timeline will afford greater lead in times for schools that require repurposing or major building works to get works complete and allow schools to recruit staff and undertake the training needed so that children are fully supported in these placements.
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 supports. However, it is critical that the NCSE has as much local information as possible, as early as possible, to effectively plan what new provision is required.
I am happy to advise that the NCSE are this week formally sanctioning 168 (105 primary and 63 post-primary) new special classes in 159 schools across the country for the next school year 2026/2027. This is the first tranche of new special classes being sanctioned and is a number of months ahead of last year. The NCSE expect to continue to sanction further new special classes over the coming weeks. The earlier sanctioning of these classes will provide clarity for parents and allow schools more time for the planning and establishment of new special classes. Details of the new special classes are available on the NCSE website.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
