Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
552. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children who have presented for the need of a special class and special school placement post the October deadline for submissions to the NCSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34155/26]
View answerThis 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. The NCSE has verified that 7,860 children and young people notified to them by 1 October 2025 meet the requirements for a special class or special school place for the 2026/2027 school year. Further children have come forward after this date, and this will continue right up to September 2026.
The data continues to be reviewed and analysed by the NCSE, who continue to engage with families. It is the experience of the NCSE that some families who contacted them may decide not to apply for a special education place. This may be where a place is not in a particular school of choice of where a student is already being supported appropriately in their existing school.
Data available to the NCSE shows that approx.75% of the children and young people who came forward by the 1 October deadline are already enrolled in school.
As in previous years, the priority group for access to specialist placements for 2026/27 school year are for those without a school place namely
• Younger children moving into primary school and
• children moving from primary to post primary school
• children without a school place such as those moving from one area to another or where a previous placement has broken down etc
The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. 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 queries 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 achieve their full potential.
