Minister McEntee and Minister of State Moynihan announce new measures to support forward planning for special education provision for the 2026/2027 school year and beyond
30 May 2025
Minister for Education and Youth Helen McEntee and Minister of State with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion Michael Moynihan have today (30 May) announced new measures to support forward planning for special education provision for the 2026/2027 school year and beyond.
New measures were set out in a circular issued to all schools this week following intensive stakeholder engagement. They include:
- indicative timelines for identifying and establishing new special classes and special school provision for the 2026/2027 school year by 31 December 2025
- strengthened forward planning, including the requirement for the NCSE to be notified by 1 October 2025 by those seeking a special class or special school placement for a child in September 2026, bringing the timeline forward by 4 months
- engagement by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the department with school patron bodies to agree on schools to be approached to open new special classes
- supports for schools on planning and preparing for a new special class and more
From: Department of Education and Youth, Published on: 30 May 2025