678. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that Tusla has instructed a service provider (details supplied) that children with special educational needs who turn six years-of-age or older during the 2026/2027 school year cannot join the service from September onwards despite the ongoing shortage of suitable educational placements for children with additional and special educational needs; if she will intervene to have this decision reversed given the lifeline this service provides for children with special educational needs who have not secured a suitable school placement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53088/26]

As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.