Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)

That information is crucial to gaining a more meaningful picture regarding appropriate school placements. For children in Youghal, it is very different having a school placement in the town versus having to go to Waterford city or Cork city.

To be considered for admission to a special class or special school for the 2026-27 academic year, all applicants must have a letter from the NCSE confirming the child is known to them and has the required diagnosis and recommendation for a special class. This requirement is in addition to the child already having a diagnosis of special educational needs contained in a professional report, a demonstration of the child's complexity of overall need and clear professional recommendations to that effect. As the Minister of State set out in his opening statement, the application deadline for the 2026-27 academic year has been brought forward to 1 October of this year.

I can see the rationale for all of that in the context of forward planning. However, I wish to clarify the following. What will happen in the case of a family that is waiting for an assessment of need for a prolonged period? Therefore, the clinical report for the child may come too late for that October deadline. Related to that, what will happen if a family has not connected in time with their local SENO because they were, by necessity, attending private services or may be out of reach of services due to their social circumstances? Is there any context in which a SENO can overrule the recommendations of a clinical report for a special school or special class placement? I ask that to clarify. Is the SENO letter that is now required confirming the diagnosis and recommendations purely for data collation purposes?