To ask the Minister of Education to provide an update on work being undertaken to develop a new strategic approach to special education needs placements.

The Education Authority’s long-term vision is for every school to provide access to specialist provision classes, ensuring that all children with SEN can be supported within their local community alongside their peers.

The provision of additional specialist provisions is a year-round priority with approximately 60 projects identified for progression for the 2026 academic year, demonstrating our sustained commitment to expanding current capacity across the education estate. For 2027 and beyond, engagement is being made with schools for future provision.

For special schools, the Education Authority is taking forward a Plan of Action, to be published in Autumn 2025 for each special school setting out the projected need and outlining short, medium and long term actions to meet that need.