MINISTER FOR EDUCATION Helen McEntee has urged parents and guardians of children who do not have a place in a special school for the 2026/2027 school year to contact the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) by 1 October 2025.

The closing date to make contact with the NCSE has been brought forward by four months, a move the Department of Education has said will provide more time to set up new special classes and special school capacity, to give parents clarity at an earlier stage.

Last year, over 160 children with autism had no access to special needs educational facilities weeks after the start of the current school term.

McEntee said that the NCSE and Department of Education plan to deliver 400 new special classes for the 2026/2027 school year.

In a statement released today, McEntee said: “We strongly urge families to make initial contact with the NCSE without delay so that planning can begin.”

Minister of State for Special Education, Michael Moynihan also urged parents to contact the NCSE ahead of the October deadline, acknowledging that the time limits may cause concern for families in relation to obtaining the necessary reports and recommendations.

The Ministers said the NCSE will continue to support children and young people who come forward after the deadline.

Parents and guardians can apply for special school places on the NCSE website, which will then notify them of their children’s school status.

407 new special classes and 300 new special school places have been set up for the current school year.

Around 30,500 students will be enrolled in special classes and special schools this September, an increase of over 12,000 students (67%) since 2020.