From:Department of Education and Youth

Minister of Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton and Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Micheal Moynihan have today announced the launch of a new Transitions Support Service in special schools nationwide.

Backed by €1.35 million in Budget 2026, the new service will support young people with disabilities as they prepare to move from school into further education, training, employment and other post-school opportunities.

The service will be rolled out to all special schools from September 2026 following the successful completion of a pilot programme in a number of special schools.

Managed by the National Council of Special Education (NCSE) on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, the initiative will provide each special school with 34 transition support teaching days per year. This flexible allocation will allow schools to deliver support at the times it is needed most throughout the school year.

The service will focus on students in their final two years of school, helping them to develop personalised transition plans and identify the pathways and supports available to them after leaving school.

“It is fantastic to see this important service come to fruition, Work on this initiative began during my time as Minister of State for Special Education and I am delighted to see it now being rolled out nationally to support students and schools.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and to move confidently into the next stage of their life. The new Transitions Support Service will strengthen the supports available to students with disabilities at a critical point in their educational journey, helping them to plan for the future and access further education, training, employment and other opportunities.

“This is an important step in creating stronger pathways and ensuring that young people have real choices, greater independence and the support they need to achieve their ambitions.”

“I am delighted to announce the commencement of the new Transitions Support service in all of our special schools from September 2026. This additional support to special schools will allow them the flexibility to support students transitioning through school at critical times during the year.

“Transition planning is so important to ensure young people and their families are fully informed of choices open to school leavers once the end of post primary school is on the horizon. I have heard directly from special school principals how transformative the pilot programme has been for students, and the avenues it has opened up for young people with additional needs at such a crucial point in their life.

“The Government and I are acutely aware of the need to support all students to reach their potential and to open opportunities for students with disabilities to access pathways that have been closed to them in the past. I strongly believe that transition supports plays a key role in this regard.”