To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps being taken to ensure that suitable specialist provision is available within reasonable distance of children’s homes.

My department works closely with the Education Authority (EA) to plan and develop specialist educational provision across Northern Ireland in line with assessed need and demographic trends.

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that, as part of this work, it continually reviews demand for specialist placements and undertakes strategic planning to ensure that children and young people with Special Educational Needs can access appropriate provision as close to home as reasonably practicable. This includes the development of Specialist Provision within mainstream schools, the expansion of capacity in existing specialist settings where feasible, and the establishment of new specialist classes and facilities where a need has been identified.

The EA's area planning, placement and commissioning processes are informed by pupil population data, statutory assessment information, projected demand and local geographical considerations. These processes help identify gaps in provision and support decisions about where additional specialist capacity may be required.