Thank you all so much for your continued support. Our petition has now passed 17,000 signatures, which shows how many families, SNAs, teachers and allies are deeply concerned about the September 2025 NCSE Guidelines.

I want to share an important update following recent correspondence.

I contacted Minister Moynihan again last week seeking urgent clarification on the contradictions within the guidelines. I also raised concerns about the impact this lack of clarity is having on vulnerable children, families and schools.

I received a response from the office of Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. They confirmed that they are also following up with the Department and the NCSE on these exact issues. They agree that the situation is unacceptable and that the Government has let families down.

Her office believes the Department may be treating some of the NCSE deadlines with “flexibility”, but importantly this is not stated anywhere in the Minister’s official reply or in any published NCSE documents. Schools and families cannot rely on implied flexibility. We need written clarity from the Department.

To highlight these contradictions, I have now sent the Minister a detailed follow up letter outlining the exact sections of the guidelines that conflict with public statements. These include:

• The restricted application window versus claims that schools can apply “at any time”.
• Whether special classes can be reviewed separately.
• How emotional and regulation based needs should be assessed.
• Whether the NCSE Guidelines of 12 September remain active or under review.

The full letter also requests that the Department issue a new, clear and consistent set of guidelines, as the current document is unworkable.

This petition shows that thousands of us feel the same way. Families, SNAs and schools deserve clarity and transparency. No child should lose support because of unclear or contradictory guidance.

👉 I will continue to update you as soon as the Department responds.

👉 In the meantime, please keep sharing the petition. Every signature increases pressure and shows how widespread this issue has become.

Thank you again for standing together on this.
We are being heard, and we will keep going until clarity is provided.

Lisa