Timing of 'Parents Notify' process has caused 'a lot of angst' for parents of children with special needs

The Oireachtas education committee heard that the National Council for Special Education had 'about a 50% lens' on the parents and young children looking for special educational placements until recently

The committee also heard that some 'kids are without places, and there are cases of children who have applied last year that didn't get in who are reapplying'. File photo: iStock

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) had "about a 50% lens" on the parents and young children looking for special educational placements until recently, its chief executive has told an Oireachtas committee.

In the last session before the Dáil recess, the Oireachtas education committee met with representatives from the NCSE and the Department of Education to continue its discussions on inclusive education.

Several of the attending TDs and senators raised a new deadline for the 'Parents Notify' process, with the portal for applying to a special class or school for September 2027 set to close on September 1.

Committee chair Cathal Crowe questioned why the announcement came during the school holidays, and asked if it could be brought back to the end of the school term in future years. Some parents are "very geared" towards these things, and others rely heavily on assistance from schools, he said.

"School teachers are unavailable largely," he said. "It's a big ask to think all of this can function perfectly between now and September 1; I don't think it's realistic at all."

Solidarity-PBP TD Ruth Coppinger said the notification has caused "a lot of angst" for parents. "Already last year it was moved to October, now it's brought forward [again]. Why was it brought forward at a time that schools are closed," she asked.  

The 'Parents Notfiy' portal is a "very important strategic tool", Angela Corcoran of the Department of Education said in response. Engagement has been very strong, she added. 

John Kearney, chief executive of the NCSE, told the committee the 'Parents Notify' portal is now "well embedded" in the system. It was introduced three years ago.  

"Where we were two years ago, the NCSE as the national agency had about a 50% lens on parents and young children looking for specialist placements. We now have 100%," he said.

Sinn Féin TD Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked how many children are without appropriate school places for September. The minister for education had previously said there would be sufficient places to meet demand, she added. 

"But the reality on the ground is not quite there. I've a lot of parents already contacting me already, and their kids are without places, and there are cases of children who have applied last year that didn't get in who are reapplying."

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Helen Walsh of the NCSE said "overall provision" is there but it is "drilling down" into some local hotspots. The admissions process is still ongoing in many schools across the country, she said. 

"We always say to parents apply to as many places as you can; unfortunately, that does generate the refusal letters coming around. We are very aware of certain hotspots, predominantly within the capital to try and support, and a little bit maybe into Kildare.

"We're satisfied that there is sufficient provision. It doesn't mean that every parent will have their child in exactly the place they want."

• Jess Casey, education correspondent