To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) an update on school placements for those with special educational needs and disabilities; and (ii) the number of additional places which still need to be created for September 2026.

Ensuring every child with a statement of special educational needs has an appropriate school placement remains a primary focus for my department and the Education Authority.

Since 2020, circa 6,350 additional SEN places have been created in total.

273 schools, approximately 26% of all schools in Northern Ireland, currently offer specialist provision. There are now over 700 specialist provision classes operating across a range of key stages.

The EA's early planning for September 2026 identified a need for approximately 950 additional places. EA has been actively working with schools and has already initiated projects estimated to accommodate approximately 350 of these placements across specialist provisions and special schools, reducing the cost and length of home to school transport, whilst enhancing positive integration across our school communities.

Throughout November and December, the EA held engagement sessions both in person and online inviting over 300 schools in high-pressure areas to explore the development of specialist provisions within their school community, approximately 90 schools attended. EA is working with those schools that expressed an interest at the events to identify solutions.

My department and the EA remain committed to the vision that every child with SEN has access to a placement, in their local community and with their peers.

This will require a fundamental shift towards a system in which all schools offer specialist provision classes.