Department of Education inspectors have described as "concerning" the findings of a review of enrolment policies across several schools with special classes, which found that most of them have policies that could prevent children with the greatest levels of need from accessing a place.
The review of 30 admission policies across 15 post-primary and 15 primary schools, was conducted to assess the extent to which enrolment policies in special classes for autistic children and young people here conform to published guidance and legal requirements.
Describing the outcome as raising "significant concerns" Chief Inspector Yvonne Keating said: "The Inspectorate review identified issues in 14 out of the 15 post-primary policies and 12 out of the 15 primary policies".
Minister for Education Helen McEntee has written to all patron bodies after the findings, to request that they review the admissions policies of all schools with special education classes.
The inspector's report finds that admission policies are excluding children in different ways.
Children are required to be able to participate meaningfully in mainstream classes before offering them a place in a special class, or by prioritising children already enrolled in mainstream classes for a place in a special class.
A child’s behaviour may also be used against them, even though that behaviour may be intrinsic to their disability or caused by dysregulation due to not having their needs met.
"Many schools use the possibility of a child displaying behaviours that may pose a risk to the health and safety of others as a basis for exclusion from a special class.... the use of potential behaviour as a means of establishing eligibility for a place in a special class does not recognise behaviour as communication and does not acknowledge that behaviour is closely related to wellbeing", the report states.
It said using behaviour to exclude a child from enrolment also failed to acknowledge "that school leaders and teachers can, through preventative strategies and skillful interventions, support children’s regulation and positive behaviour".
The inspectors say the review also revealed that some schools are placing additional demands on parents applying for a place in a special class "and, incorrectly, making enrolment contingent on receipt of additional resources".
Other issues that may restrict the access of autistic children and young people to an appropriate education came to light over the course of the review.
"For example, some schools provide a five-year programme for students in post-primary special classes, while their peers in the mainstream classes have the opportunity of a six-year programme", the report states.
In devising admission policies, schools are required to adhere to legal requirements, to guidelines developed by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and to circulars issued by the Department of Education on provision for children and young people with special educational needs.
These requirements and guidelines are designed to ensure that all children and young people can access an appropriate education.
The report - Supporting all children and young people to access an appropriate education: A review of the admission policies of primary and post-primary schools with special classes for autistic children and young people - makes a number of recommendations to strengthen the governance and oversight of access to, and the use of, special class resources.
Ms McEntee said: "A school’s admission policy is often the first point of contact between a school, prospective students and their families. I have today written to all patron bodies highlighting the findings of this report and I have requested that they initiate a review of the admission policies of all their schools with special classes for autistic children and young people.
She also said there is a huge amount of work underway to create additional spaces in special education classes to support children who need this support.
"I have also asked my officials to update the circular which issued in October 2024 on measures to support the forward planning for special education provision to ensure that the lessons learned from the admissions process between September and December are carried through to enrolments for September 2026.
"In addition, I have requested the Inspectorate to provide an annual written report on the implementation of admission policies in primary and post-primary schools with special classes for autistic children and young people."
Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan, said the report "demonstrates the need for the Department to support schools to make the best use of their special class resources and the need for an appropriate governance and oversight system".
