Important Enrolment Information
Circular 0039/2025, issued by the Department of Education and Youth, outlines strategic measures to enhance forward planning for special education provision for the 2026/2027 school year and beyond.
Key Highlights:
1. Enhanced Forward Planning for Special Education:
- Timelines for New Special Classes: The majority of new special classes for 2026/2027 are to be sanctioned by 31 December 2025, allowing schools ample time for preparation.
- Prioritization Criteria: Focus will be on medium to large primary schools (with at least a principal plus eight teachers) and post-primary schools without existing special classes.
- Role of School Patrons: Patron bodies are expected to collaborate closely with the NCSE to identify and support schools suitable for opening new special classes.
- Direct Engagement: The NCSE will engage directly with schools through planning visits in September and October 2025 to discuss the establishment of new special classes.
- Data Sharing and Notifications: Schools are required to notify the NCSE by 1 October 2025 if seeking to establish a special class or special school placement.
- Updated Enrolment Criteria: Eligibility for enrolment in special classes and special schools now includes a letter from the NCSE confirming the child's diagnosis and recommendation for such placement.
- Support for Accommodation: Streamlined processes and funding are in place to assist schools in repurposing existing accommodation to facilitate new special classes. into.ie+1autism.ie+1autism.ie+1into.ie+1
2. Advancing Inclusive Education:
- Common Application Trials: The NCSE is supporting trials for a common application system for special class enrolments in selected areas.
- Single Application System Pilot: The Department is piloting a single application system for admissions to first year and special classes at post-primary level in certain regions.
- New Access Processes: Work is underway to develop new processes for how children access special schools, focusing on educational needs.
- Designation of Special Schools: Consideration is being given to the designation of special schools to better align with students' needs.
- Guidelines for Reviewing Placements: Schools will receive guidelines on reviewing special class placements to ensure they meet students' evolving needs.
- Roadmap for Inclusive Education: Progress is being made on developing a roadmap to provide a more inclusive education system, aiming to support the majority of children with special educational needs in their local schools. into.ie
For more detailed information, you can access the full circular here: Circular 0039/2025.
