AQW 53237/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 28/09/2026
Answered On Date: 02/10/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail whether any assessment has been made of the proposed changes to the Temporary Variation Policy on placements of special education needs pupils, given they are still treated as supernumerary.

Answer:

The proposed changes to Temporary Variation (TV) policy are currently subject to public consultation. The changes will not alter placement arrangements for children with statements of special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream schools, as these pupils will remain supernumerary for admissions purposes.

The consultation is, however, taking views on ways of ensuring the proposed changes do not unintentionally reduce opportunities for children with SEN to access suitable school placements, and this will form a key part of my considerations when finalising the policy.