This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
As demand for new special classes at post-primary level is expected to increase significantly over the next few years, due to increasing demographics and increasing prevalence rates, my department and the NCSE have engaged with post-primary stakeholders in relation to the provision of special classes.
In October 2022, my department wrote to all post-primary schools requesting that each school begin planning to provide for up to four special classes to meet the needs of children progressing from primary school. Last year my department issued a circular to all schools setting out new measures to support the forward planning of special education provision. Included in this circular was a reminder of the need for post-primary schools to continue planning for this level of provision.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department recently published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of new measures introduced to support forward planning going forward and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. An earlier date of 1 October has been set in which parents must do so. This notification will provide the NCSE with valuable insights as to which children will continue to require a special class as they progress to post primary level and details on students who require a place for the first time. The earlier date will also allow for earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, and it is the aim of the NCSE to sanction the majority of new special classes by 31 December 2025.
My department recognises the importance of supporting student transitions into and from school settings while ensuring that students with more complex needs are supported optimally.
The National Strategy and Action Plan for Lifelong Guidance is about helping people to make better choices about their education, career and life choices, through information, advice and guidance counselling services. The proposals in the action plan include providing guidance delivered by appropriately trained professionals for students in special schools for the first time.
In addition, the NCSE has published transition guidelines between all stages of education that are designed to assist parents to support their children to make successful transitions.
My department has two pilot programmes to support students to make optimal transitions from school. Both pilots have been expanded and the programmes remain subject to an ongoing external evaluation.
In addition, Budget 2025 has provided funding for specific targeted supports for children transitioning into new school settings.
Through the parental notification process, the NCSE have a clearer lens on the level of need for special classes and the highest level of need continues to be from children and young people with autism.
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.
