I wish to draw the Minister’s attention to a situation that has unfolded in Craddockstown Special School, Naas. Twelve pupils were offered a place to begin in August this year back in March or April of this year and they turned down other places that were not as appropriate as a special school place. It is November and they have not been able to start. It seems the planning application for that site was only submitted in October this year. There is real confusion among parents regarding this site. Can the Minister and her officials look at this and make some inquiries with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board to see what that progress is and ultimately, if and when planning permission is sorted, that this project be pursued as ambitiously as possible?

I am aware of the school and of the situation. The Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and I meet the NCSE weekly and obviously where issues arise, we want to work with it to make sure they can be addressed as quickly as possible.

Where schools have been designated or places provided but they have not come onstream yet, we are working closely with the school and parents to make sure there is a provision of education being made for the children. The overall objective is that they are in the classroom in the school and that that is allocated to them. I will engage further with the Deputy and we will make sure we are continuing to engage with the school and parents.