Today’s opening of the NCSE portal for 2027/28 special education places – at a time when schools are shut for the summer and many families may be away on holiday – could result in parents missing the September deadline for applications, Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins has warned.
Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s education spokesperson, said:
“Frankly, I am flabbergasted by the timing of this announcement. Schools are now shut for the summer, meaning that parents, teachers, principals and SNAs may be away and unaware that the portal has opened today. As a result, many will be oblivious to the fact that there is a September 1 deadline for notifying requests for places to the NCSE, with supporting documentation required two weeks later.
“While I welcome that the Department has moved to open the portal well ahead of the 2027/28 school year – a number of months earlier than it did last year – I cannot understand why this could not have been done before the end of the academic year last month.
“Yet again, it comes down to poor communication from the Department of Education. The timing of the portal’s opening today is a recipe for chaos and confusion and will cause parents needless stress and anxiety if they miss the deadline.
“I’ve no doubt this will become a major issue in September and will have to be revisited by the Department of Education and the NCSE. The most frustrating thing is that this situation could easily have been avoided.”
July 7, 2026