Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right in that we need to be better at forward planning and to do better. That is why, this year, we are about 40% ahead of where we were this time last year. That is why I intend that, by this time next year, we will have identified children and have children who know exactly where they will be going to school. It has to be the case that every single child is treated equally. It has to be the case also that come January a child knows where they are going to school, whether primary or post-primary, and that is every child and not just a child who perhaps does not have an additional need or an additional requirement but a child who is autistic, a child who has ADHD or a child who has additional needs. We need to ensure each child is treated equally and has the same chance in life, and that is why work is already starting in my Department and why the NCSE has been tasked with identifying, even earlier in the year, what children's needs are, where they arise and how we engage with schools and local communities and ensure we are working closely together. It is not just a matter for the Department of Education as it is also a matter for the Department of Health, the Department responsible for disabilities, the Department of children and the Department of Social Protection, ensuring all the information we have is used to support and benefit children. We are all part of this as well such that communities understand neurodiversity and how to play an important part in that regard.

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