Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Erin McGreehan, has welcomed the opening of NCSE Parents Notify online portal for 2027/28 to support early planning for special education places across Primary, Post Primary and Special Schools. 

The key dates for families seeking a special class or special school place for the 2027/2028 school year to be aware of are:

• The Parents Notify online portal for the 2027/2028 school year will open on 7th July 2026.
• Parents/guardians must notify the NCSE through the online portal by 1st September and provide required documentation by 15 September 2026, or as soon as practicable thereafter.

The Parents Notify process provides a clear overview on the need for specialised placements and enables the sanctioning of special classes across the country ahead of a new school year.  

For the 2026/2027 school year, Parents Notify has enabled the delivery of 12 new special classes across Louth, as well as the expansion of special school placements across the country.

Confirming the portal’s opening, Deputy McGreehan said:  

“Forward planning is central to ensuring children and young people with additional needs can access their education in a setting that suits them. It provides reassurance to families about their child’s school placement, while also giving schools the time needed to plan effectively for new classes, including accommodation and staffing.

“The NCSE parents portal notify has been a really important initiative to enable the earlier planning of special class and special school placements in our schools. This process ensures that the Department of Education and Youth has a clear picture of the type of provision required by children and young people for September 2027.

“The most important message for parents today is that if they feel their child needs a specialist placement, they should contact the NCSE by the 1st of September and then documentation can follow as soon as it becomes available. There is no need to contact schools at this point but if parents have any queries at any stage they can contact their local SENO.

“I know September 1st is earlier than last year, but this additional time will help ensure there is a clear sense of demand, which can feed into the budget process in the autumn. Early notification is essential to ensure sufficient places, staffing, and accommodation can be planned for the year ahead.

“Importantly, and as was the case this year, families will continue to be supported by their local SENO until the additional documentation is available. I will also work with my colleague, Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan, to ensure every child and young person who needs additional support can access an appropriate education in their local community.”

Parents can access the portal and further guidance on the NCSE website.

For further information, reach out to Erin McGreehan.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Information on mainstream schools with special classes, including new special classes for the upcoming 2026/27 school year, as well as the types and locations of these classes, is published on the NCSE website and is available at www.ncse.ie. The NCSE will continue to update the list as classes are sanctioned ahead of the 2026/27 school year.

How Parents Notify Works

Parents/Guardians should access the Parents Notify online form https://ncse.ie/notify-ncse-special-class-special-school.

• Complete and submit the online form and upload all relevant documents, where available.
• Once the form has been completed the NCSE email a unique number by return. This should be used on all future communications with the NCSE in relation to your application.
• The NCSE reviews the form and supporting documents. If more information is required a member of their team will be in contact.
• Parents/guardians receive a review outcome letter from the NCSE.
• Parents/guardians send the letter of eligibility to schools.

The NCSE eligibility letter confirming diagnosis and recommendation is required for enrolment in all special classes and special schools for 2027/28.

The NCSE will prioritise children at key transition points and will work with schools and families to determine whether needs can be met within existing school resources where a child is already enrolled.

Parents can access the portal at the NCSE website and may seek support from their local Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO).