Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I agree with a lot of what the Deputy said in the sense that no parent should have to protest in relation to that. I would just say - the Deputy may or may not agree - that there is not a lack of political will. Everybody in this House wants to get this issue right. I believe the Minister, Deputy McEntee, has engaged with a number of families involved and is willing, as is the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, to do that again. It would be good to see that happen. People obviously have a right to protest and rightly feel strongly about this but engagement directly with the Minister and Department is important and I would like to see that happening. I know the Minister would too.

It is our absolute priority to ensure every child in the State has access to a school place. The Department of Education and Youth is continually planning for this and investing in existing and new schools and is also now bringing forward the time at which projections for the following year are made. That needs to happen much earlier. The Minister is working on that. We have seen 400 new special places provided for in budget 2025. My understanding is 399 of the 400 have been sanctioned already. I can get the Deputy a breakdown, which might be useful for the families he is working with as well.

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