Mr. John Kearney:

We are in a complex area when we mention the section 37A process. We are balancing two needs at all stages. Schools the length and breadth of this country have worked to respond to Covid. As we all know, they were at the centre of communities in terms of offering support to them and reaching out in response to the Ukrainian challenge that presented. We are now going again with another ask in terms of the delivery of special class placements. We are always conscious of the situation regarding section 37A. I have met many parents whose special class placements were not delivered. I am an educationalist at heart. I know the frustration, anxiety, hurt and uncertainty in the voices of parents, and that is who I will be responding to in terms of issuing the necessary correspondence that has to be issued. There is a collective responsibility, and that was echoed in the Ombudsman's report last week. Ultimately, that is what we have to respond to at a systemic level throughout the country to ensure that parents get due regard in terms of special class placements.