Given the clear State obligation to provide an appropriate school place for every child with additional needs, can the Tánaiste explain why parents who applied after the NCSE's 1 October deadline are being excluded from the process of securing a school place for next September? There is silence from the line Ministers and a standard response from the NCSE telling parents who applied after the 1 October deadline: "The NCSE is no longer in a position to issue letters of eligibility." This is simply unacceptable. Every child with additional needs has a right to an appropriate school place.

Nothing less will do. Will the Tánaiste instruct the NCSE to reopen the portal and start issuing letters of eligibility again? Will he ensure that every child has an appropriate school place for next September?

I thank Deputy O'Rourke for raising this serious and important issue. I think we would acknowledge on all sides of the House that this is something that was done for a good reason, which is the idea of trying to get sight of the number of children who would require a special educational needs place earlier because it is not fair, and it is far too stressful to leave it too late. It was the germ of a good idea, and, in fact, it needs to come earlier every year. I have spoken to some of these parents, and I am aware that sometimes there can be a delay for a good reason. People might not be able to get access to certain reports they need or whatever. Life can happen, and there are a number of parents who will require places for their children. The NCSE is giving consideration to it. I am not in a position to comment. It is not for me to make an announcement here, but I certainly think it is inevitable that it will have to be reopened so that a resolution can be found. I will pass on the Deputy's views to the Minister.