330. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth the expected timeline for the National Council for Special Education to process applications received through the Parents Notify portal for the 2027-2028 school year; whether applications will be assessed on a rolling basis as they are received or only after the portal closes on 1 September 2026; the anticipated timeframe within which parents can expect to receive eligibility or review outcome letters following submission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53406/26]

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.

The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.

In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0063/2026. 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.

This notification process will provide the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary level as well as details on students who require a place for the first time.

This year to facilitate earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2027/28 school year, an earlier date of 1 September was set for parents and to provide necessary documentation by 15th September 2026 or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.

The Parents Notify process provides the NCSE and the department with the information for the potential need for specialist placements in working with schools to forward plan for special education provision.

The NCSE will continue to engage with parents/guardians and schools on this, to ensure all of the relevant information is provided as quickly as possible to facilitate comprehensive forward planning.

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 achieve their full potential.