Single assessment means each spouse is treated separately, and there is no sharing of allowances or thresholds. It is the least favourable treatment. It has to be requested before the end of the tax year, so you are too late to claim it for 2009.
If it is separate assessment you want, that should have been claimed before April 1st 2009, for the 2009 tax year.
You should attach a covering letter to request single tax treatment for 2010, if sending in a paper form to Revenue, or phone the Registration Section if using an on-line submission.