Navigating the Irish school system for children with special educational needs (SEN) can be challenging. This guide provides insights into applying for special school placements, understanding available transport options, and accessing financial supports like the Special Needs Transport Grant and the Home Tuition Grant.
How to Apply for a Special Education School Place in Ireland
To secure a place in a special education setting for your child:
1. Identify Suitable Schools: Use the following resources to find appropriate classes or schools:
2. Application Process: Apply to these places similarly to mainstream schools, ensuring you include your child's relevant reports.
3. Follow Up: After applying, adhere to the procedures outlined here and submit any required letters to the schools promptly.
4. Notify NCSE: Inform the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) of your intent to secure a place before February 1st. This notification assists them in determining where to establish new classes and schools based on demand."
School Transport for Children with Special Educational Needs in Ireland
Children enrolled in public special education classes (excluding private) may qualify for special needs transport services, such as a minibus or taxi that transports them between home and school.
Important Considerations:
Eligibility: Transport is provided only to the nearest available school placement.
Service Limitations: Due to a national driver shortage, transport availability isn't guaranteed. Additionally, bus contracts are periodically reassigned, so existing services may change over time.
Special Needs Transport Grant: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
In the following circumstances you may be awarded the grant or interim grant. More information on the amount per km is here.
The Special Needs Transport Grant provides financial assistance for school transport in certain cases. The grant covers four daily trips (to and from school) and is only paid for days your child attends school. The amount is calculated per kilometer.
Who Qualifies for the Grant?
Many reasons why. These may include:
✔️ No school bus is available, and the grant is offered as an alternative.
✔️ A psychologist's report confirms that the child cannot travel by bus or taxi (only granted in rare cases).
✔️ A bus route is planned but not yet set up – in this case, you may receive an interim grant until the bus becomes available
For the grant instead of transport they will send you out forms for bank details and attendance forms that you get school to complete
For the interim grant you need to email
school_transport@education.gov.ie
Home Tuition Grant in Ireland: What to Do If No School Places Are Available
If your child doesn’t secure a school place for September, don’t panic—new special classes and schools open each year. Most are announced in May, but some may only become available as late as December.
What If No School Place Is Available?
If all other options have been exhausted, you may qualify for the Home Tuition Grant, which provides funding for private tuition at home.
Challenges in Finding Tutors:
Limited Availability: Tutors for home tuition are difficult to find.
Where to Look: You can search for tutors in the following online communities:
Home tutors for those on the Autism Spectrum Ireland
July/Summer Provision Ireland Teachers and Parents
Ireland provides a range of educational settings for children with special needs, but is it enough? Many families still struggle to find suitable school places, transport, and support.
What do you think? If you had the power to improve the system, what would you change? Share your thoughts in the comments on Facebook
Not sure where to start?No diagnosis yet ? Read our previous blogs
Autism Diagnosis in Ireland: Public and Private Pathways Explained (2025)
Our next blog will look at each of the settings in schools, mainstream,special classes and special schools. What they look like and what kind of supports exist.
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