To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 8695/22-27, (i) for his assessment of the impact of these vacancies on the ability to deliver an effective and efficient statementing process for children; and (ii) to detail his plans to ensure these vacancies are urgently filled.

Vacancies within the Statutory Assessment and Review Service (SARS) can have a direct impact on the ability of the Service to deliver an effective and efficient service across the breadth of service delivery, including the statutory assessment process. However, the Service works collaboratively, through regional support mechanisms, to minimise any such impact while recruitment is ongoing.

Vacancies within the SARS will be filled in accordance with the Education Authority’s Recruitment Policy and associated procedures.