Mr. Seán Ó Foghlú:

We have not reduced the ceiling and the number of pupils in schools is increasing. We know the ceiling of potential SNAs available for employment within the employment control framework and our budget. However, the National Council for Special Education is finalising some policy advice to us regarding the provision of special educational needs and supports in schools. Aspects of that may lead to further consideration of the balance of our policy in the provision of resource teachers on the one hand and SNAs on the other.