To ask the Minister of Education how he will ensure that Special Educational Needs places for September 2024 (i) meet the needs of each pupil; and (ii) will be accessible to the pupil from the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year.

Children with a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) are individually placed, based on their needs as set out in their statement and through a process of consultation between the Education Authority (EA), schools and parents. Their placement is reviewed annually to ensure it continues to meet their needs.

The EA is working in collaboration with managing authorities and schools, to create additional capacity across the education system to ensure sufficient specialist education provision is available to meet the needs of children who require it for the 2024/25 academic year.