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

I will try to answer some of the questions including specific ones from Deputy McConalogue. We did allocate an extra 365 posts in the Estimates process before last year. We allocated funding for extra SNAs but on top of that we had to allocate the additional ones. We are carrying out a focused policy assessment of the SNA scheme which is currently under way. It will involve the identification, analysis and evaluation of relevant data to ensure that the scheme continues to meet its objectives and that resources are being utilised effectively and efficiently in line with the guidelines. A review is ongoing to ensure that the funding is being appropriately spent.

In 2011-12, the number of special classes attached to mainstream schools was 549. There are now more than 1,000. Members will be aware from their constituencies of schools putting special classes on to mainstream schools, especially for autism. It is the right thing to do. Deputy O'Brien and Deputy Conaghan are correct. We are identifying the need and it is right that we are meeting that need.

I wish to inform Deputy McConalogue that we also allocated an extra 600 resource teachers. There is also an identified increasing need for resource teaching hours as well as for SNAs, albeit that the purpose-----