1448. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth when the NCSE and her Department expect to announce the primary schools that will be sanctioned to open new autism classes for the 2027/2028 school year; the arrangements in place for parents seeking placements for children who have received a letter of eligibility but local schools have advised that no places are currently available; the way in which admissions are managed where a new autism class is sanctioned after a school's standard admissions process has concluded; whether a separate admissions process is then operated for the new class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63151/26]

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.

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. My department and the NCSE have worked closely with school patron bodies, school management bodies and schools to confirm new special classes for the 2026/27 school year. Details of the new special classes are published on the NCSE website.

The NCSE began sanctioning new special classes in January of this year, several months earlier than last year. 587 new special classes have been sanctioned to date, including 70 inclusive special classes. This brings the total number of special classes sanctioned to date to over 4,300. Of the 587 new special classes, 379 are being established in primary schools and 208 in post-primary schools. The need for specialist provision remains under review and further new special classes may be confirmed in the coming weeks. The NCSE remains available to provide advice and support to all families seeking specialist placement.

In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0063/2026 which informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning. It reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE through the Parent Notify process where they are seeking a special educational placement for their child. This process provides the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary education as well as details on students who require a place for the first time. This is essential to support effective planning of special education provision.

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 NCSE will engage with parents/guardians and schools to ensure timely provision of relevant information to support the planning process.

Parents/guardians who engage with the NCSE Parent’s Notify process by 1st September 2026, having provided the necessary documentation by the15th of September 2026, or as soon as practicable thereafter will be provided with a letter, dated for the relevant school year. This letter will confirm the outcome of the NCSE’s review based on the supporting evidence provided. A letter of eligibility is provided by the NCSE where an applicant has the appropriate recommendation and documents for a special class or special school place.

This letter of eligibility should be forwarded to the school/s as part of their application for enrolment in a special class or special school. In circumstances where a child or young person did not take up a specialist placement in 2026, and the parent/guardian notifies the NCSE that such placement is sought again for the 2027/2028 school year, a new letter of eligibility will issue from the NCSE. Letters of eligibility apply only to the school year to which the notification to the NCSE refers.

My department is committed to ensuring that all schools comply with the requirements of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 and with the guidance issued by the department and the NCSE. Schools are required to implement an admissions policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. The published admission policy sets out the selection criteria for admission to school. The annual admission notice sets out the number of places that are available and the timeline for accepting and processing applications for admission.

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.