109. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the basis on which the 1 September 2026 closing date for the NCSE parents notify portal for special class and special school placements for the 2027-28 school year was determined; whether consideration has been given to concerns raised by schools that the deadline falls before many schools have reopened following the summer break, limiting opportunities for engagement and support during the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54040/26]

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.

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 with necessary documentation to be provided by 15 September 2026 or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter.

The Parents Notify process provides the NCSE and the department with essential information on the potential need for specialist placements in schools to support forward planning of special education provision.

The NCSE will continue to engage with parents/guardians and schools on this, to ensure relevant information is provided as quickly as possible to facilitate comprehensive forward planning. The NCSE also require the most recent version of the student support plan which provides useful information on how a child or young person is supported in their current setting. The NCSE routinely access student support plans as part of their ongoing support to schools and will work with individual parents and schools on this when schools return in the Autumn.

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.