Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to deal with it as quickly as possible but I need time to discuss it with colleagues.

Deputy O'Brien raised the issue of the new model for special education and that was also raised, I think, by Senator Moran and some others as well. We do not expect it to be ready for next year but it could be. The committee has seen the draft proposals. There must be widespread consultation. Some members of the committee are probably aware that the NCSE is holding public meetings around the country at the moment to advise parents, particularly those with younger children with special learning needs who will be entering the school system. I cannot say for sure that it will not be next year but it is more likely to be the following year. We have continuing upward pressures with regard to the needs of children with special educational needs. For example, there are an extra 480 resource teachers this year and there are also extra special needs assistants, SNAs. That is simply to deal with existing needs.

There will be ongoing discussions, but I do not think it will be ready for next year. However, I am not certain so if it is ready and if there is a general view that is the right thing to do, it may be implemented. There is particular concern about the fact that people must get diagnoses at a very early stage and that in some cases they must pay for it even if they cannot afford it. All these issues are of concern and they are all part of the reason this review is taking place. However, that is as accurate as I can be on the timing.

On the vetting of new teachers, the Teaching Council only has responsibility for teachers. There has been a problem with vetting both because of the time it takes and the need to re-do it if someone gets a new job. The idea here is that the Teaching Council would do the vetting, so that this problem of delays for teachers would no longer be an issue. Other people who work in schools are vetted, not through the Teaching Council, but through other systems, so anyone who works with children must be vetted.