Dear Parents and Guardians,
We are contacting you on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) regarding an important update to how special education placements are planned and allocated.
If your child requires a special class or special school place for the 2027/2028 school year, the NCSE has introduced a mandatory process called Parents Notify.
Deadline to Notify: You must notify the NCSE via their online portal by 1st September 2026.
Deadline for Documentation: Supporting documentation and professional reports must be uploaded by 15th September 2026.
Please note, even if you are currently awaiting updated documentation or reports, you should not delay making your initial notification by the September 1st deadline. Similarly, if you are still undecided on whether a special class or mainstream class placement is your first choice for your child, please make this notification on Parents Notify and you can make your final decision at a later date.
Following your submission, the NCSE will review your application and issue an official Letter of Eligibility. This letter confirms your child has the required diagnosis and recommendation for a specialist placement. Please be aware that this Letter of Eligibility is now a strict prerequisite for enrolment in all types of special classes and special schools and must be included with your school application.
If your child is already enrolled in our school and you are seeking an internal special class placement, please complete the portal notification as well. The NCSE will work with us this autumn to access your child’s most recent Student Support Plan to help determine eligibility.
Submissions must be made through the newly updated and accessible Parents Notify portal. You will need your child’s PPSN to complete the process.
Access the Portal here: https://ncse.ie/notify-ncse-special-class-special-school
If you have any questions or require assistance navigating this new process, you will find additional information at the link above.
