Ms Nuala Ward:

The Office of the Ombudsman for Children shares the Deputy’s concerns about the provision of education to these children, especially children with special educational needs. Our office has been vocal about this matter in recent weeks. Indeed, we will be publishing a report on forward planning in the coming weeks. We know the needs of these children from when they are born and grow into early childhood. We can identify them, so why we cannot plan in advance to meet the needs of children with special education needs is questionable.

It is a fundamental right that children have access to education, so not having school places is of deep concern, especially for children arriving from Ukraine. Education is where they will make their friends, get to know about this new country that they have arrived in and learn the language. It is critical for their recovery that they have school places.

I agree with my colleague that this is a pause. There is a crisis, but this is a time to gather information on what has worked and what has not worked and to implement a new process for the new academic year in September.