Circular 39/2025: Approach and key measures to support the Forward Planning for Special Education Provision for the 2026/2027 school year and beyond

You can read the circular in full here:https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/circulars/approach-and-key-measures-to-support-the-forward-planning-for-special-education-provision-for-the-20262027-school-year-and-beyond/

The focus is on special classes and special schools

Here is a summary for the parts relevant to primary education.

Key changes to Admissions

• Parents must now apply directly to the SENO with the child's report and recommendation before applying to any special class.
  
• They must apply to the SENO by October 1st of the year before the child needs to start in the class. This has been brought forward from February 1st. Details here on how to apply.
• If the child meets the eligibility criteria, the SENO will give the parent a letter that they submit with the application to the school.
  
• Updated criteria for admissions must include that SENO letter, in school policy. This is new and school's must updated their policies.
  

Other notable features

• It is aim of the Department and the NCSE that the majority of new special classes
  for the 2026/2027 school year will be sanctioned by 31 December 2025.
• For new classes, NCSE will focus on
  
  • the remaining medium to larger primary schools (at least principal + 8 teachers)
    who will not have a special class for the 2025/2026 school year;
  • medium and larger primary schools who have 1 or 2 special classes, but based on
    their enrolments, could provide additional special classes and
  • post-primary schools who do not have a special class for the 2025/2026 school
    year
• They won't ask primary schools with 3 classes already to open more.
• They may ask smaller schools to open classes where there's a need in the area and no capacity.
• Common application process trial happening in certain pilot areas for special classes.
• Talk about redesignation and broadening designation for some special schools. Ominous for schools like MGLD schools who've been fighting against this. 

Suggestions for next steps for schools

• If you've opened admissions share the new information with the parents who have applied, direct them to contact the SENO.
• Contact your SENO for confirmation next week, once they've gotten their own heads around it.
• If you haven't opened admissions for special classes yet, consider waiting until after February to streamline it. Ask your patron before making that call.
• School's enrolling for Special classes are required to update their admissions policy to include a new section to allow sharing of waiting list information and other relevant information with the NCSE. Suggested wording below. This change must be approved by the patron before you release your annual admissions notice.
• Publicly share the information about the need for parents to contact the SENO before Feb 1st with anyone on a waiting list or who inquires about special class places.

Trina's Thoughts

• Ridiculous expectations in here. School's trying to review admissions policies before October. Parents, professionals and schools trying to make sure the appropriate recommendation is in place before Oct 1st. In general a move to give NCSE more time to plan (a good thing) by creating ridiculous pressure and time demands on others due to this coming so late.
• This would have been reasonable if it came back with the original document last October. Or even in February/March. It coming now is inappropriate, unprofessional and a further insult to schools and overloaded school leaders. Not good enough.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Updated Admissions Criteria for Autism Classes

Professional report(s) outlining:

• Diagnosis of Autism: DSM IV/V or ICD 10/11 (psychologist, psychiatrist, multi-disciplinary report)
  AND
• A demonstration of the understanding of complexity of the child’s overall level of need/s evidenced in the professional reports
  AND
• Given the severity or complexity of the child’s support needs, a clear professional recommendation as to what educational placement type would be most appropriate to best meet the child’s needs, along with the rationale for same. 
  AND
• A letter from the NCSE confirming that the child is known to them and that the child
  has the required diagnosis and recommendation for a special class for autism