The Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) have announced that to support better forward planning and to provide earlier clarity for families of children with special educational needs, the timeline by which parents are to notify the NCSE that a child requires a special class or special school place for the 2026/2027 school year should be brought forward to 1 October 2025.
According to Circular 0039-2025, “parents/guardians can notify the NCSE via the parents notify system which is outlined on the NCSE website at https://ncse.ie/notify-ncse-special-class-special-school. Parents/guardians engaging with this process will be provided with a letter from the NCSE confirming the outcome of the NCSE’s review of the supporting evidence provided which they can then give to the school/s as part of their application for enrolment in a special class or special school”.
In relation to enrolment in a special class for Autism, the following must be provided in support of your application:
Professional report(s) outlining:
• Diagnosis of Autism: DSM IV/V or ICD 10/11 (psychologist, psychiatrist, multidisciplinary report) AND
• A demonstration of the understanding of complexity of the child’s overall level of need/s evidenced in the professional reports AND
• Given the severity or complexity of the child’s support needs, a clear professional recommendation as to what educational placement type would be most appropriate to best meet the child’s needs, along with the rationale for same AND
• A letter from the NCSE confirming that the child is known to them and that the child has the required diagnosis and recommendation for a special class for autism.
Circular 0039-2025 can be read here. Additional information can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/press-releases/minister-mcentee-and-minister-of-state-moynihan-announce-new-measures-to-support-forward-planning-for-special-education-provision-for-the-20262027-school-year-and-beyond/
