Written Answers Nos. 1022-1041
1022. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if it can be ensured that an employment permit refusal appeal (details supplied) is granted, and that the individual in question is granted a permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2290/26]
View answerIreland operates a managed employment permits system, which seeks to maximise the benefits of economic migration while minimising disruption to Ireland’s labour market. The system is designed to facilitate the entry of appropriately skilled non-EEA nationals to fill skills and/or labour shortages required to develop and support enterprise for the benefit of our economy. However, this objective must be balanced by the need to ensure that no suitably qualified Irish or EEA nationals are available to undertake the work and that the shortage is genuine.
The Employment Permits system is administered in accordance with the Employment Permits Acts and associated Regulations. Employment permits can only be granted where all of the relevant statutory criteria and legislative requirements are met.
The appeal referenced by the Deputy has been received and is currently under review by my Department. The permit holder may continue working while the appeal is under consideration.
1023. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment whether he is aware of instances of companies using payment in lieu of notice to avoid employees attaining two years’ service needed to be entitled to statutory redundancy; whether his Department has any plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2416/26]
View answerIreland has a robust suite of employment rights legislation which offers extensive protections to workers.
Under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1973, employees with at least 13 weeks service are entitled to statutory minimum notice, which increases with length of service.
Eligibility for statutory redundancy is set out in the Redundancy Payments Act 1967.
Section 7 of the 1973 Act sets out a right to waive notice as follows:
"(1) Nothing in this Act shall operate to prevent an employee or an employer from waiving his right to notice on any occasion or from accepting payment in lieu of notice.
(2) In any case where an employee accepts payment in lieu of notice, the date of termination of that person's employment shall, for the purposes of the Act of 1967, be deemed to be the date on which notice, if given, would have expired."
Section 7 provides that either party may waive notice or agree to payment in lieu of notice. Section 7(2) provides that payment in lieu does not break continuity of service for statutory entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967. The notice period is treated as if worked for the purpose of calculating service.
Where an employee has been made redundant, they may be entitled to a redundancy payment. Under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967, it is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy to eligible employees. In order to qualify for a statutory redundancy payment, an employee must have 104 weeks' continuous employment, have been an employed contributor in employment which was insurable for all benefits under the Social Welfare Acts, and be over the age of 16.
I cannot comment on individual cases, however I am not aware of companies using payment in lieu of notice to avoid employees attaining the two years of service needed to be entitled to statutory redundancy.
Employees who believe their rights have been infringed may refer disputes to the Workplace Relations Commission.
1024. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide a list of the top ten capital or programme projects delivered by his Department or its agencies over the past three years which were completed on time and within the originally approved budget; the project name, location, delivery timeframe, original approved budget, final outturn cost, and delivery body, for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2427/26]
View answerI can confirm that my Department and its Offices are not involved in any capital or programme projects.
I have asked all Agencies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to the Deputy within 10 working days of this response.
1025. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to detail the annual spend on external consultants by his Department and its agencies in each of the past three years; the number of consultancy contracts, the largest individual consultancy engagements by value, and whether internal capacity-building or cost-benefit assessments were undertaken prior to engaging external consultants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2445/26]
View answerThe Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has a dedicated administrative allocation (under AD7 of the Estimates) for policy reviews, consultancy services and research. This budget provides funding for the engagement of external consultants to provide intellectual or knowledge-based services (for example, expert analysis and advice) through delivering reports, studies, assessments, recommendations or proposals that benefit the decision or policy making processes in the department. This work supports our mission to drive a competitive, resilient and sustainable economy that supports enterprise, tourism and employment across all of Ireland’s regions.
All projects under the AD7 Budget are considered from a cost benefit and capacity perspective by the department's Consultancy and Research Advisory Committee and approved by the Management Board. The department complies with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation’s guidelines for engagements of consultants by the civil service, having regard to public procurement guidelines.
The amounts paid for the past three years under the AD7 budget are published on the DETE website, at enterprise.gov.ie/en/publications/dete-expenditure-on-consultancy, and are listed in the table at the link below by cost, project and supplier. This does not include ICT consultancy or consultancy procured by our offices and agencies.
Consultancy expenditure by the agencies is an operational matter for the agencies themselves and, as such, I have referred this query to the agencies under the aegis of my Department and have asked that they respond to you directly on the matter.
1026. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide a list, for each of the past three years of the top ten projects per annum delivered by his Department or its agencies which were completed late and over the originally approved budget; the project name, location, original approved completion date, actual completion date, original approved budget, final outturn cost, cost overrun expressed in euro and percentage terms, and the delivery body for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2463/26]
View answerThe information requested is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
1027. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when a referendum will be held to ratify the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, the International Agreement for which was signed by Ireland in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2477/26]
View answerThe Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, which establishes the UPC, is an international agreement signed by Ireland and 23 other European Union member states during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2013. At present, 18 EU member states are ratified members of the UPC system.
Ireland sees many benefits in joining the Unitary Patent system including increased competitiveness, cost benefits to Irish innovators and support for native research & development and SMEs in a rapidly evolving global economy. Furthermore, should Ireland ratify the Agreement, Government has committed to establishing a local division of the Unified Patent Court in Ireland, facilitating the enforcement of unitary patent rights in this country.
While Government has reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to participating in the UPC system, a referendum is required to ratify the Agreement on a Unified Patent Court. A referendum was initially scheduled to be held on 7th June 2024 alongside Local and European Elections; however, this was postponed to facilitate greater public discourse on the matter. The timing of any future referendum remains a matter for Government.
1028. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment for an update on the progress of the Retail Crime Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2479/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to publishing a Retail Crime Strategy with targeted actions to reduce retail crime and support affected businesses. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration has commenced work on preparing this Strategy including research into how other jurisdictions tackle retail crime to see if we can learn from best practice elsewhere.
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs & Migration met with the Retail Forum in May 2025 and heard from members regarding their experiences of retail crime and how it can inform work on the Retail Crime Strategy. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration officials are considering their suggestions in the context of the development of this Strategy. The Department of Justice, Home Affairs & Migration plans to finalise the Strategy in the first quarter of 2026.
1029. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding a project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1570/26]
View answerThe school referred to by the Deputy was approved a project under my Department’s Modular scheme which has delivered four mainstream classrooms and two science labs in modular units as Phase 1 of this school permanent extension. As part of this project there is also ongoing reconfiguration works inside the school to provide two special education classrooms.
As Phase 2, the school was approved for a project under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide seven mainstream classrooms, one music room, one design computer graphics room, one home economics room, one graphics room, two engineering/ construction studies/technology rooms with prep areas, two Special Education classrooms, two Special Education Tuition rooms, one office, one staff room and ancillary.
The project was devolved to Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) for delivery.
My Department currently awaits the submission of a Stage 1 early design report for review from the appointed design team. It is now within the remit of DDLETB to progress this project accordingly.
1030. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth if the use of Class 1 Urban buses for school contracts which sees children without seat belts carried on roads which have speed limits over 65 KMH is permitted by her Department, or the NTA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73890/25]
View answer1031. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views of the Sixmilebridge school transport controversy in 2024, with the use of unbelted buses given that new data shows 26,000 such deployments over 11 months in 2025.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73893/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1030 and 1031 together.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department carried out a review of the School Transport Scheme which was published in February 2024. This review outlined a goal of delivering 100,000 additional children to school each day by 2030.
One of the methods of delivering this substantial growth is to integrate with existing regular public transport which will allow more children to take the bus to school. For the 2024/2025 academic year, a pilot project was conducted along the existing public transport Route 343 on the Limerick-Shannon-Ennis corridor.
The children involved in the pilot scheme are travelling on a Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheduled bus route operated by Bus Eireann under contract to the National Transport Authority (NTA). The service capacity has been planned in conjunction with the National Transport Authority to provide sufficient seated capacity across the scheduled timetabled departures.
Bus Éireann has advised that a range of vehicles operate on this regular scheduled bus route, including M3, class 1 vehicles which are an Urban Double Deck Bus.
PSO scheduled bus services operate under determination and definition of the European Whole Vehicle Type Approval (EWVTA) Regulations (2007/46/EC) and are adopted under the domestic statutory instrument of the European Communities (Road Vehicles: Type-Approval) Regulations 2009. Under M3, Class 1 seat belts and wheelchair restraints on Class I vehicles are not a mandatory requirement, primarily due to the lower operational speeds and restricted 65kph maximum speed limit. Class 1 services typically service urban centres and commuter services from satellite towns into main regional urban centres.
In addition SI 367 / 2011, section 3 para 6, also specifically details in relation to seat belts “(6) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (2)(b), paragraph (1) shall not apply to a vehicle if it is otherwise used wholly or mainly for the purpose of providing a transport service for the general public.”
M3, Class I type buses are deployed extensively on scheduled public transport services across Dublin, the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and on Regional city, town and commuter services and have been for a number of decades. A full range of passengers use these services daily including school children who avail of existing public transport options in their area outside the school transport scheme.
1032. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth the position regarding any funding stream to support the provision of an all-weather dome structure to cover an existing pitch facility in a secondary school, to allow the pitch be used all year round; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73951/25]
View answerInvestment and expenditure on sports facilities in both primary and post-primary schools is an element of the overall expenditure and investment in the School Building Programme. Practically all schools have outdoor play areas and many schools use adjacent local community facilities. The provision of outdoor play areas form part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. Co-operation between schools and local sporting organisations in sharing their sporting facilities provides opportunities to apply for sports grants including the Sports Capital Grant administered by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. The provision of capital funding for outdoor recreation facilities is just one way in which we support increased physical activity. The redeveloped primary curriculum specification for physical education extends the time available for PE with a particular emphasis on community partnerships and the use of the outdoor environment generally.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the National Development Plan, involving the completion of over 1,300 school building projects. 111 of these were large scale school projects all of which would have included extensive accommodation including outdoor play areas. In July, the Government announced a capital allocation of €7.55 billion for the Department of Education and Youth for the period 2026-2030 under the National Development Plan. All Government departments are expected to publish their sectoral NDP Implementation Plans shortly. My department’s plan will optimise outputs from the NDP allocations, with a strong focus on maximising existing school capacity, progressing priority projects where local capacity across schools in the area is insufficient, and ensuring delivery that is affordable, offers value for money, and meets functional needs. Funding will also be invested to support curricular delivery and well-being across schools by prioritising the development of Physical Education halls and sporting facilities (including yards and play areas) for schools in conjunction with the Sports Capital Fund to deliver for both schools and communities.
My Department's Climate Action Summer Works Scheme provides a mechanism for school authorities to make small-scale improvements to school buildings and also the schools external areas such as outdoor play areas. Schools can also use their minor works grant to upgrade outdoor play areas while repairs to existing areas may be considered under the department’s Emergency Works Scheme.
There is no funding streams available for the provision of an all-weather dome structure to cover existing playing pitches.
1033. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a person (details supplied) will receive additional pay owed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73974/25]
View answerI wish to inform the deputy that officials in my department have processed the acting deputy principal allowance for the teacher to whom you refer and the teacher has received payment for this on 31 December 2025 along with any arrears due. Officials have corresponded directly with the teacher also.
1034. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 383 of 9 December 2025, if she will provide the information requested in the question (details supplied) in the interest of transparency and forward planning for all stakeholders as previous response failed to provide the information requested, specifically the number of children nationwide who sought a letter of eligibility for a place in a special class or special school through the parents notify portal, before the deadline of 1 October 2025, by county; the number seeking a letter of eligibility for a place in a special class and special school in South Tipperary; the number of children who have been issued with a letter of eligibility in South Tipperary; the reason the numbers have not been provided or will not be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73986/25]
View answerThe 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 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.
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.
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.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
As the matter raised relates to a NCSE process. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such matters with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
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.
1035. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Education and Youth her plans for tree planting and biodiversity at the site of (details supplied); if there could be planting of trees along the periphery wall for residents’ privacy; the funding available for schools to apply for tree planting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74004/25]
View answerThe Minor Works Grant is provided to all primary and special schools, to enable them undertake small-scale minor maintenance and improvement internal and external works including the plantation of trees.
Schools have the autonomy to use this funding for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds. Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed, to decide how best to use this funding to address the school’s particular needs.
Since 2020, €340 million in Minor Works Grants and Enhanced Minor Works Grants have been allocated to schools. This includes the payment of Minor Works Grants totalling almost €30 million for the school year 2025/2026, which issued in June 2025 and a further €30m which issued to schools in December 2025 for the 2026/2027 school year.
Primary and special schools need not apply for Minor Works Grant aid. Under the scheme, funding is made available to all primary and special schools on the following basis:
€5,500 basic grant plus €18.50 per mainstream pupil and €74 per special needs pupil enrolled in the school on the 30th of September of the year prior to the issue of the grant. The €74 rate applies to a special needs pupil attending a special school or attending a special class attached to a mainstream school.
1036. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she accepts that survivors affected by the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in a case (details supplied) continue to lack access to an effective, independent redress mechanism; whether any proposal has been brought to Government since June 2020 to establish such a mechanism; and if not, when such a proposal will be advanced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74013/25]
View answer1037. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the concrete measures which are currently in place to ensure the State’s compliance with its positive obligations under article three of the European Convention on Human Rights following the judgment in a case (details supplied); whether she accepts the assessment of the organisation, that compliance remains incomplete; and the timeframe within which full implementation will be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74014/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1036 and 1037 together.
I can advise the Deputy that a range of measures have been put in place to implement the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgement in O’Keeffe v Ireland.
Specifically in respect of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, significant measures have been taken to develop a very strong culture of child protection across the school sector. These include reforms of the legislative and administrative framework relating to child protection in schools, including the commencement of the Children First Act 2015 which provides for mandatory reporting by key professionals; implementation of the Vetting Acts 2012 -2016; revised Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017, subsequently updated in 2023 and again in 2025, and a range of related training and oversight measures. The obligations and responsibilities which arise from child protection procedures are taken very seriously by our schools.
In addition, my Department has implemented an ex gratia scheme to provide compensation to individuals falling within the scope of the ECtHR judgement . The scheme, which was developed in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, was devised to ensure implementation of the ECtHR judgement and provided those who had instituted legal proceedings against the State in respect of day school sexual abuse, and subsequently discontinued those proceedings following rulings in the domestic courts, with an opportunity to apply for an ex gratia payment of €84,000.
The scheme was established in 2015 and paused in 2019 following a report from the Independent Assessor Mr. Justice Iarflaith O'Neill. A revised ex gratia scheme, which broadened the scope of the scheme and the type and nature of evidence that could be considered by the State Claims Agency in respect of individual applications, was approved by Government in July 2021 and operated from 21 July 2021 to 20 July 2023. A total of 193 applications were received. Of these, 128 applications were approved while 65 were not successful and €10.75m has issued to applicants as ex gratia payments.
Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department provides regular updates to the Council of Europe regarding Ireland's implementation of the ECtHR judgement. The latest Action Plan in relation to the implementation of the judgement is available on my Department's website: www.assets.gov.ie/static/documents/OKeeffe_v_Ireland_Action_Plan_30_July_2025.pdf
1038. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Education and Youth the engagement on the removal of the need for an AON for children with additional needs to receive an appropriate school place; the timeline for the full implementation of this policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74022/25]
View answerThe Department of Education and Youth is committed to an education-based, needs-led approach to accessing education services. The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers, through the provision of resources such as Special Education Teachers and Special Needs Assistants. This is an estimated 25% of the total student population, or 240,000 children and young people with special educational needs, that are supported in mainstream classes.
It is important to note that since 2017 children and young people in mainstream classes have not required a diagnosis of disability to access mainstream supports from the 15,000 special education teachers in our school system. In addition, the Department has removed the requirement for any health-based information to support transitions from a primary to a post-primary special class and/or for additional SNA requirements.
Additionally, while a diagnosis is currently required to access a special class or a special school, this does not have to be linked to an AON. Department officials are working on a process to remove the need for a diagnosis to access specialist supports in our school system which would be the last remaining requirement for a diagnosis in the education system.
The Department of Education and Youth will bring forward a proposal through a memorandum for government early in 2026 to agree a process which is intended to result in the removal of the requirement for professional reports, such as Assessment of Need reports, from entry requirements for special schools and special classes and the adoption of a needs-based approach, subject to the availability of necessary resources. There will be a comprehensive consultation process with the full range of education stakeholders and advocacy groups in respect of this proposed measure.
It is also important to note that the Assessment of Need (AON) process is provided for under the Disability Act 2005 and is under the remit of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Assessment Officers working under the remit of the HSE are charged with organising the Assessment of Need. The Assessment Officer coordinates and completes the Assessment Report and a determination is made as to whether or not a child or young person meets the definition of disability contained in the Act.
Following on from a court ruling in October 2021 there is a legal obligation on the education system to assist the HSE as part of the HSE’s Assessment of Need Process (AON). In that regard, the NCSE nominates an appropriate person, a qualified teacher in the case of an AON pertaining to a school-going child, to assist the HSE by completing a Report of Education Need (RoEN) using information available or known to the teacher or school. This process was trialed and implemented in the 2024/2025 school year and was further refined in the 2025/2026 school year. The process is outlined in Circular 0069/2025 and will remain in place.
For clarity, there is no change to the AON process as it applies in schools.
The Department will continue to monitor and respond to future needs. As part of budget 2026, investment in special education has increased to €3 billion and allows for the recruitment of an additional 860 special education teachers, 1,717 Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) and the provision of an additional 3,000 places in special schools and special classes as well as the roll out of the new Educational Therapy Service.
This expansion reflects the Government’s commitment to inclusive education and ensuring every child with special educational needs receives the support they deserve.
1039. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide a list of AI pilot projects which have taken place in her Department within the past 12 months; the expenditure associated with those projects; and whether they are still ongoing, in tabular form. [74131/25]
View answerThe following table shows a list of artificial intelligence pilot projects undertaken by my Department within the past 12 months, including associated expenditure and current status.
|
AI Pilot Project |
Function |
Description |
Expenditure |
Ongoing |
|
Generative Text-to-Video |
IT |
Use of generative text-to-video technology to support and augment training materials |
18,180 |
Yes |
|
Generative AI for Information Assistance |
IT |
Use of generative AI to assist with searching for information, drafting content, and summarising information |
0 |
Yes |
1040. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on an emergency works application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74188/25]
View answerThe school in question submitted an application for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) for Special Need Facilities/ Universal Access works on 13 November 2025. The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope of works required to remedy an emergency situation and, on this basis, the school was advised to submit a revised scope of works with an accompanying itemised cost breakdown along with further drawings as set out in Appendix C of Circular Letter 0068/2020.
Once this has been received the EWS team will review the revised application and will engage further with the school as appropriate. The EWS team is aware of the urgent nature of the works required and will keep the school informed throughout the process.
1041. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Youth when a child in Donegal will be provided with access to their chosen school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [74193/25]
View answerThe 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.
As your query refers to an individual placement, I will arrange to have it referred to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
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.
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.
Under the Education Act, 1998 each school must publish an Admissions Policy and an Annual Admissions Notice. The published admission policy sets out the selection criteria for admission to school. The annual admission notice sets out the number of places that are available and the timeline for accepting and processing applications for admission.
This information should be published on the school’s website and be available on request by contacting the school directly.
The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.
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.
