Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is a combination of many factors. It is not a case that when a child enters junior infants we suddenly discover he or she needs an SNA. There are children in mainstream schools who, due to the changes in the curriculum in recent years, are only being identified with additional needs when they move from senior infants to first class. It is a progression through the school as a whole. I know many children who have been only recently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome or dyspraxia at the age of six or seven years. The curriculum is designed to try to find those special educational needs of students. There is a better understanding of children's needs and a better detection system within schools. Teachers are more aware of special educational needs which are identified, not only at entry level but at senior infants and second class level.

No doubt a catch-up is in place but the 5% increase cannot be put down to solely catching up. I think there are other factors such as better understanding and detection.