Special Education

The special education section of the Department of Education is responsible for the development of educational policy for children with special educational needs and the development of comprehensive, efficient and effective education services for these children.

The section maintains close links with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) was established under the Education of Persons with Special Educational Needs (EPSEN) Act, 2004 to improve the delivery of education services to persons with special educational needs arising from disabilities with particular emphasis on children.

The NCSE provides advice and information on special education to schools and parents; allocates and provides direct supports and guidance to schools; provides teacher professional learning to teachers; undertakes and disseminates research into special education; and provides policy advice to the Minister for Education on issues relating to special education. The NCSE also has advisory roles in relation to the provision of specialist equipment/assistive technology for students and special school transport arrangements. The general functions of the council are set out in Section 20 of the EPSEN Act.

The remit of the NCSE includes direct delivery of services that will facilitate access to education for children with special educational needs.

Special educational needs organisers (SENOs) employed by the NCSE are based throughout the country to co-ordinate services at a local level.

SENOs are available to assist and advise parents of children with special educational needs and can be contacted directly by schools and parents.

The contact details of schools and local SENOs are available on the NCSE school information map and information on schools with existing special classes, the types and the locations available here..

The NCSE website has information for parents of children with special educational needs.

This includes:

• Information for parents
• Frequently asked questions
• Information on special classes in schools
• Information booklets and pamphlets

NCSE Contact Details

National Council for Special Education

Address: 1-2 Mill Street, Trim, Co. Meath, C15 P2KC

Phone: (01) 603 3200

While the NCSE directly deliver services and has a research and advisory role, the special education section of the department continues to have responsibility for policy.

Special education section advise on and develop policy initiatives to support children with special educational needs to attend school and to achieve the best possible education outcomes within a number of services, these include:

• The special education teacher service
• The special needs assistant service
• The special school system
• A summer programme for children with complex special educational needs and/or those at risk of educational disadvantage.

The Department of Education also provides funding for a range of schemes designed to support and/or enhance the education of children with special education needs.

These include:

Assistive technology grants

The Home Tuition Grant Scheme

The Irish Sign Language (ISL) Tuition Scheme

Typing tuition for the vision impaired

National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS)

Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Workforce Development Unit

Special Schools

Summer Programme previously known as July provision.

Assistive technology, special needs and tuition grants

Inclusive education

TUSLA Education Support Service (TESS)