Mr. P?iric Clerkin:

I will take the first point and then hand over to Ms Quinn. The Deputy mentioned the 24 months. The admissions Act is transparent and we would argue that it is fair. There is the section 29 process whereby if a parent does not feel the policy has been implemented appropriately, that can be appealed. The problem is it is not working for children with complex special education needs. It is not possible to put everything in place in that short a period.

In my school, we are taking applications now for next September. By the time that is processed, we get back to every parent and go through the appeals process, it does not leave time to get everything in place for children with complex needs. As a result, we have the section 37 process. That is reactive and does not facilitate children attending school in local areas. It facilitates children attending school somewhere else. Most of them are being bused, taxied and brought across their communities to other schools. We could achieve that through a slight amendment to the admissions Act, whereby children with complex needs could make an application earlier. I take the Deputy's point that children are very young at three. Some may not have been assessed but many are within the system. We would be in a better position to prepare for those children and it would not in any way interfere with the admissions process. The children would still only be offered places if they were entitled to them, which is mostly on the basis of age. In most situations, you would be able to predict whether the child was going to get a place the next year or not. Worst-case scenario, the admission would be delayed by a year because the child was too young. We feel that is a fundamental issue and that is a message we are passionate about getting across. We feel that will make things better.

The section 37 process does not work for families and does not work for children. It does not get them access in their local school.