I would like to raise the issue of special school places, not just in County Cork but across the country. The Irish Independent earlier this month published a report where it was estimated that hundreds of children are potentially facing a lack of school places this September. I say this being fully cognisant of the fact that in the term of this Government, we have delivered seven new special schools and 1,300 special classes have been sanctioned up to now. Unfortunately, in the report published by the Irish Independent, several principals described on the public record the worst levels of oversubscription in school places that they have seen to date. In Mayfield, in my constituency, St. Killian's school had one or two places available but there have been 25 applications. The list goes on. I ask that the Tánaiste give this matter his utmost attention and-----

I thank the Deputy.

-----that he will liaise with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, to ensure that this September every child with special needs education requirements will be facilitated with a school place.

For 2024, about €2.7 billion is being spent on special education. This will allow for the opening of 400 new special classes and 300 additional special school places. We had a meeting last week of the Cabinet sub-committee on education and special needs education. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State with special responsibility for special education, Deputy Naughton, have been very clear that they will meet all the needs and will provide an adequacy of places for all children requiring a place by next September.

All right. I thank the Tánaiste.

That work is under way.