To ask the Minister of Education to detail the current estimated number of places required for special school allocations, in North Belfast, for 2026-2027 admissions.

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that;

Early planning assumptions are collated at a local council district area. Current planning assumptions indicate a pressure of circa 100 special school places within the Belfast City Council area.

Our strategic vision is that every child with SEN has equity to be placed, in their community with their peers, which supports them to reach their full potential. EA are actively engaging with schools to make this vision a reality; however, this will require a fundamental shift towards a system in which all schools offer specialist provision classes, alongside sustainable financial investment in the school estate to alleviate placement pressures within our special schools and improve the outcomes for all our children and young people.