Demonstration over lack of special school places

The NCSE met with some of the parents on Friday to hear their concerns.

The Department of Education and Ministers McEntee and Moynihan have said they are aware of a demonstration that took place on Friday regarding the lack of available school places for children with additional needs.

Minister for Education Helen McEntee says she has met with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), whose Chief Executive is former CMETB head John Kearney, twice since being appointed Minister for Education.

“I am determined that every child be supported to achieve their full potential within our education system and I want to reassure parents that we are doing everything possible to ensure there are enough places to meet their children's needs," she said, adding that she has been briefed on NCSE's "ongoing engagement" with parents involved in this demonstration.

"I am also open to meeting with the parents to hear their concerns," said Minister McEntee. “The NCSE is continuing to work closely with the parents in identifying and securing education placements appropriate to their children’s needs for September 2025. I’ve also instructed the NSCE to identify the needs for the 2026/27 school year this year.

This week 218 new special classes were sanctioned by the NCSE across the country and more will follow imminently. This included four schools- three secondary and one primary in Cavan- and three in Monaghan.

“I am committed to opening additional special classes and special schools, expanding the number of SNAs and special education teachers, and expanding the resources available to special schools. I have also committed to introducing a common application system for children applying for special education places, which has the potential to be a game changer for parents who need the information about their child’s place as early as possible in the year. I have asked the NCSE to let me know as a matter of urgency if the legislative provisions introduced in 2022 which allow me to compel schools to open special classes is required, and if so I will not hesitate to use those powers to ensure sufficient places are available for September 2025.”

Minister of State Michael Moynihan meanwhile said that he will continue to "work tirelessly" with Minister McEntee and the NCSE to give parents "clarity and assurance as matter of urgency.”

The NCSE met with some of the parents on Friday to hear their concerns.

The NSCE in return are understood to have reiterated its continued commitment to ensure their children get school places that meet their needs.

Separately the parents highlighted "broader systemic issues" impacting the provision of school places for children with special educational needs.

"The NCSE will work with the department to address these issues and improve services for children and young people with special educational needs," said Minister Moynihhan.

Significant progress, the government says, has already been made in this area over the last five years with a 103 per cent increase in the number of special classes in mainstream schools (primary and post primary) and a 20 per cent increase in the number places in special schools.

Each special class, catering for six children, has a dedicated teacher and two special needs assistants.

Schools who open classes are provided with a range of supports, including equipment, training, grants for accommodation, assistive technology amongst others.

Places in mainstream schools

1,839 classes in 2020 to 3,735 classes by the end of this year. This is a 103% increase in places in five years which is an additional 11,000 places in special classes in mainstream schools.

Places in special schools

In 2020, there were 7,900 children enrolled in special schools, and by the end of this year there will be approximately 9500 enrolled at the end of this year.

There has been 11 new special schools established in the last five years, and a further five new special schools will be opened by September 2025.

National Council for Special Education (NCSE)

The NCSE has met parents across the country in recent weeks and months and has offered to meet parents today to reassure them of their continued commitment to support children into the places which are becoming available for September 2025. The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs require additional supports, special classes and special school places are provided. Significant progress has already been made in opening new special classes for September 2025 and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), who has responsibility for this, has assured the department that every child will be offered a school place.

Supporting children with special educational needs is a priority for the government. The Department of Education engages intensely with the NCSE in relation to the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places, and in recent years has introduced several initiatives to plan for and provide enough special class and special school places. This forward planning work is well underway ahead of the 2025/26 school year. The NCSE has advised the department that they are engaging closely with schools, boards of management and school patron bodies across the country, to open sufficient special classes to meet the needs of children with special educational needs. This work involves a detailed review of statistical data in relation to forecasting demand for special class places, an analysis of available school accommodation, consideration of improved data sharing arrangements and a particular focus on the provision of special classes at post-primary level. This analysis is conducted across 314 school planning areas around the country.

Parents who want a special class placement for their child should contact the NCSE in their area. This helps with planning to meet their needs. Local special educational needs organisers (SENOs) are available to support and guide parents. SENO contact details are on the NCSE website