Special Education in Ireland - What You Need to Know
Clear, honest information for families navigating the special education system — from first assessment to school placement and beyond. Covering school placement, home tuition, summer programme, assistive technology, a parents guide to the SEN system and a parent teacher meeting worksheet.
School Placement
Finding the right school system has changed - here's what you need to know
✅ Parents Notify system now in place
✅ Annual October deadline
✅ Eligibility letter required
The process for securing a special class or special school placement in Ireland changed. The NCSE now operates a Parents Notify system — an online form that parents complete to begin the process. How does it work? Complete the Parents Notify online form on ncse.ie NCSE reviews your supporting documentation and reports If criteria are met you receive an eligibility letter Use the eligibility letter to apply to special classes or special schools. You can find a list of schools in your area on the NCSE website too. The annual notification window typically closes on 1 October each year. Parents seeking a special class or special school place should contact the NCSE and have regard to the annual process and timelines. ✅ Parents Notify form completed online ✅ Eligibility letter required for all special class and school applications ✅ Your local SENO can support the process ✅ Annual deadline — watch for October dates Important — if you already have an eligibility letter you do not need to apply again. You can get an updated eligibility letter from your local SENO.
Information on this page is updated regularly but we recommend always checking ncse.ie and gov.ie for the most current guidance as processes and deadlines change annually.
Home Tuition - When School Isn't Possible
The Department of Education operates a Home Tuition Grant Scheme for children who cannot attend school — covering four different categories of need.
✅ Children with special educational needs awaiting a school placement
✅ Children unable to attend due to chronic illness or medical condition
✅ Children in care without a school place
✅ Post primary students on maternity related absences
The Home Tuition Grant Scheme is administered by the Department of Education and Youth and covers four categories of children and young people. Category 1 — Special Educational Needs and Medical Grounds. This covers children who are unable to attend school due to chronic illness, children with special educational needs who are seeking an educational placement, and children with early educational needs related to autism. Category 2 — No School Place. This is a temporary measure for children who are actively seeking a school place but do not yet have one. Applications for this category are made through your local Educational Welfare Officer via TUSLA — not directly to the Department of Education. Category 3 — Children in Care. This covers children in care who are without a school place due to an emergency placement or placement disruption. Application forms are available from the child's appointed social worker. Category 4 — Maternity Related Absences. This covers post primary students at junior or senior cycle whose education is disrupted due to pregnancy. For Categories 1 and 4, parents are responsible for sourcing their own tutor. The tutor must be registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland. The grant is paid directly to the approved tutor by the Department of Education. The grant covers educational teaching only. Therapeutic supports such as Speech and Language Therapy or Occupational Therapy are not covered and require separate engagement with the HSE.
Special Education Section
Department of Education and Youth Cornamaddy,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
special_education@education.gov.ie
(090) 648 4187
Scheme details and eligibility criteria are reviewed annually. Always check gov.ie for the most current circular and application forms.
Summer Education Programme - Supporting Your Child Over the Summer
The Summer Education Programme provides additional educational support for children with special needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage during the summer months.
✅ Available for children with complex special educational needs
✅ School based and home based options available
✅ Covers Primary, Post-Primary and Special Schools
✅ SEN transport may be available during the programme
The Summer Education Programme runs each year during the school summer holidays. The 2025 theme was Building Confidence and Connections — reflecting the programme's focus on student centred, play based engagement alongside educational support. There are two ways your child can access the programme — through their school if it is participating, or through a home based programme if the school is not running one. School Based Programme — All primary schools, post primary schools and special schools can offer a summer programme. Priority places go to children in special classes first, followed by children with complex special educational needs in mainstream classes, and then children most at risk of educational disadvantage. Contact your child's school directly to find out if they are participating and how to apply. Home Based Programme — If your child's school is not running a school based programme, a home based option may be available for children with complex needs. Applications for the home based programme are submitted through your child's school via the Department's Online Sanctioning Portal. Parents are responsible for sourcing a qualified teacher or SNA who is registered and vetted with the Teaching Council of Ireland. SEN Transport — If your child normally uses the SEN transport scheme, this may also be available during the Summer Programme. Contact SENtransport@education.gov.ie as early as possible if transport is required. The programme details, eligibility criteria and registration deadlines are updated each year by the Department of Education and Youth. Schools typically register in spring for the summer programme.
SEN Transport Queries SENtransport@education.gov.ie
Summer Programme Helpline 090 648 4292
Programme details, eligibility and deadlines are confirmed annually by the Department of Education and Youth. Always check gov.ie for the most current information each year."
Assistive Technology Grant — Specialist Equipment for Your Child
Schools can apply for funding to provide specialist technology equipment for children with physical or communication disabilities who need it to access the curriculum, with the necessary reports and recommendations.
✅ Available for children with physical or communication disabilities
✅ School applies on behalf of the child — parents cannot apply directly
✅ No upper limit on the grant amount
✅ Equipment stays in school but can be used at home with Board approval
The Assistive Technology Grant provides funding to schools towards the cost of computers and specialist equipment for children with more complex disabilities. The equipment must be essential for the child to access the school curriculum — it is not available for general learning support that could be provided through standard school resources. To be eligible, a child must have a physical or communication disability and a professional assessment recommending that specialist technology is essential for them to access education. Some children with dyslexia may also be eligible depending on the level of need. Examples of assistive technology that may be funded include laptops with modified software, specialised keyboards, touchpads, braille equipment, and communication devices. Parents cannot apply for this grant directly. The school applies to the local SENO using the application form available on the NCSE website. The SENO reviews the application and supporting professional reports and makes a recommendation to the Department of Education, who makes the final decision. If the application is approved, the equipment is purchased by the school. The school's Board of Management is responsible for insurance, maintenance and repair. The Board can give permission for the equipment to be used at home, for example for homework. If you think your child needs assistive technology, speak to their school in the first instance. The school will contact the local SENO if they believe an application is warranted. "VAT Tip — if your child does not qualify for the grant but an educational psychologist has recommended assistive technology, you may be able to claim back VAT on equipment purchased privately using Revenue form VAT 61A.
Special Education Section
Department of Education and Youth
Cornamaddy,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
special_education@education.gov.ie
(090) 648 4187
Grant criteria are set out in Circular 0010/2013. Always check gov.ie and ncse.ie for the most current guidance and application forms.