594. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Youth to outline the measures being taken to address the ongoing issues surrounding the application process for suitable school places for children with special educational needs in North Tipperary; the reason parents in this area are unable to obtain eligibility letters for their children that missed the October deadline due to the absence of psychologists currently working within the North Tipperary disability network; to acknowledge that many parents were placed at a significant disadvantage as private psychological assessments, at a cost of approximately €3,000, were not available within the required timeframe; to clarify the flexibility or alternative arrangements being put in place for affected families who could not meet this deadline through no fault of their own; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11708/26]

This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.

In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.

The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes last month, which is several months earlier than last year. 301 have been sanctioned to date and many more new special classes will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The NCSE has advised my department of an increasing number of children and young people who have come to their attention since the 1 October timeline. My department and the NCSE have worked on proposals to address the needs of children and young people coming forward to the NCSE after 1 October. I am pleased to say that my department is confirming that the NCSE are now in a position to issue letters of eligibility to children and young people who have made contact with them after the 1 October timeline and who meet the criteria for a special class or special school placement. The NCSE has commenced this process.

Each school prepares and publishes their own admissions policy and runs their own admissions process in line with the Admissions Act. Individual schools will determine the outcome of applications received by them in accordance with their own admissions policy and procedures. I want to reassure families that they will be supported in seeking a placement and that no child or young person should be prevented from starting school. There are a wide range of supports in mainstream classes, special classes and special schools for children and young people with additional needs.

The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement and will continue to examine where provision is required for the 2026/27 school year.

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.