Two special schools in County Waterford are among 11 nationwide taking legal action against the Department of Education over changes to school admissions.

St Joseph’s Special School in Waterford City and St John’s Special School in Dungarvan are challenging new rules which they say interfere with their professional discretion over who can enrol.

The Irish Examiner reports that the schools argue that departmental circulars issued in May 2025 and July 2026 require applicants to have a letter of assessment from the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) before they can be admitted.

They claim the department does not have the legal power to impose this requirement and that decisions on admissions should remain with school boards of management.

The High Court has granted permission for the legal challenge to proceed. Two additional schools have also been allowed to join the action.

The legal challenge was initially brought by the boards of management of 11 special schools across the country.

The case is being taken against the Department of Education, the Attorney General and the NCSE.