In Ireland, education is compulsory for children from the ages of 6 to 16 or until students have completed 3 years of second-level education.

The Irish education system is made up of primary, second, third-level and further education. State-funded education is available at all levels, unless you choose to send your child to a private institution.

Pre-school education is usually provided by privately funded childcare facilities or providers. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age. Some pre-school initiatives focused on children at risk are funded by the Department of Education and Skills.

Educational provision for students with special educational needs ranges from additional support in mainstream schools to specialist support in special schools. A student with a disability may be enrolled in a:

• Mainstream class with additional support
• Special class in a mainstream school or
• Special school which caters for the student with his or her category of disability.