Mr. Pat Goff:

Yes. I would love to see it become the policy, as it is a local arrangement that works well.

Regarding the Standard Ten educational norms, STen, scores and whether schools will be penalised, I know of no teacher or principal who will not do the best for the children in front of him and will only worry about next year's resources. Teachers do not think that way. One does the best for the child, and whatever the knock-on effect is, so be it.

For a number of years, the intake at junior infant level caused problems. This was not because the children were not diagnosed, because the free preschool year solved many problems. Certain children could have benefited from a second year, but that was not possible. The free year is outside this committee's remit, but members need to consider the totality of the situation.