To ask the Minister of Education for an update on any work being done to ensure all children with additional needs will have a school place by September 2026.

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that they have been working intensively to meet growing demand for special educational needs (SEN) places across Northern Ireland.

Targeted engagement sessions were held with schools in high-pressure locations in late 2025, and in February 2026 the Minister wrote directly to all schools requesting collaboration. EA subsequently identified 70 schools in the highest-pressure areas and completed site visits focused on solutions deliverable for September 2026, as well as exploring future Specialist Provision opportunities.

Activity has increased significantly in 2026, with approximately 320 site assessment requests managed to date, of which 95 are progressing as active projects. The Framework for Specialist Provision in Mainstream Schools has also been reviewed and updated to support this work.

Work continues to establish further places ahead of September 2026. The intention remains for all mainstream schools to have specialist provision SEN classes, supported by the enhanced support package covering teaching and classroom support staff, training, premises construction and enhancement, and annual pupil and administration payments.