To ask the Minister of Education whether he will ensure children with special education needs transferring to special education or mainstream post-primary schools will be prioritised and allocated places first, rather than last, in 2021.

Children at stages 1-4 of the code of practice transfer through the competitive admissions process and will be notified of their placement on 19 June 2021.

The transfer of pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN) from primary to a Special School or a mainstream Post-Primary is a separate process and an operational matter for the Education Authority (EA) in conjunction with parents and schools.

The EA acknowledge that there are particular factors which can impact on timely placements being secured such as available specialist places and/or where several consultations were needed for individual pupils to ensure suitable placements in agreement with all parties. It is to be noted, however, in the majority of transfers the different processes align and places are secured with all children transferring placed alongside those children that are placed through the main Admissions process.

Departmental officials are liaising closely with colleagues from the EA in relation to placements for Academic Year 2021/2022.