ACCS/Info Bulletin 13/25
The Secretary,
Board of Management,
each Community and Comprehensive School.
Members of the Executive of ACCS.
Dear Secretary,
ACCS/Info Bulletin 13/25 Re: Circular Letter 0039/2025 – Approach and key measures to support the Forward Planning for special education provision for the 2026/2027 school year and beyond.
Other relevant attachments and/or links are as follows:
1. Circular 0039/2025. The circular is now available on the Government website at:
2. Cover note to schools highlighting the main points of action for schools in the short term.
3. Supporting all children and young people to access an appropriate education: A review of the admission policies of primary and post-primary special classes for autistic children and young people also available at Inspectorate publications
Schools are advised that following the Minister’s letter to all patrons, requesting that Patrons review the Admissions Policies of their schools with special classes, that schools should consider the following timelines in this regard.
Admissions Process Indicative Timeline 2025/26:
June 2025/August 2025: Review of Admissions Policy – BOM Meeting to discuss any necessary changes to the school’s admissions policy. The amended policy must be forwarded to the Patrons for approval. (Inclusion of NCSE Approval Letter requirement)
Week of 15th September 2025: BOM Meeting following approval by Patrons of Admission Policy: On approval by the Patron the new school admission policy must be published by the school.
23rd September 2025: Annual Admission Notice: This notice must be published a minimum of 1 week prior to a school accepting applications for admission.
1st October 2025: Applications Process: Boards of management cannot accept applications prior to the 1st of October in the year preceding the intake year.
Finally on a more general note about admissions and, in particular, enrolment forms, please see attached the updated ACCS Data Protection Template Policy for your convenience. Schools may find this useful when reviewing enrolment forms in relation to data sharing. This is the most up-to-date Data Protection Policy template for schools and includes the necessary reference to Data Sharing with the HSE for the purposes of the School Health Programme. (See S2 Lawful Processing and Appendix 3 Categories of Recipients). This amendment was introduced earlier this year by the Department of Education. See ACCS/Info Bulletin 02/25 issued in January 2025 available on the www.accs.ie website.
Kind regards
Áine O'Sullivan,
General Secretary