Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There was a bit of that. It was fairly broad brush strokes. I have acknowledged and welcomed some of it in the past. The question is specifically about the number of places. As things stand, the NCSE should know how many places are available in special schools and special classes. It should also know how many children require those places. Anecdotally, on the ground, it seems that this year again there are more children than there are places. Could the Minister of State confirm that? Is she taking steps to address that for this September? In time, we should be in a situation where we could plan two years ahead. I know children and families in my area, and in Dublin and Athlone, who, as things stand, do not have a place. If there is going to be a section 37A or emergency schools opened, we need to be talking about this now not in May or June. How many extra places are needed and what is the Minister of State going to do about it or is it the NCSE's view that no additional places are needed?

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