Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

On the question of SNAs, how do we know that the demand is being met? The graph on page 6 of the summary document shows an 11% to 45% variability in increase. Why can we not forecast more accurately? What data are we missing? The target figure, for example, for SNAs in 2015 was 11,330 but the number of SNAs reached by December of 2015 was 12,036. What is the Department basing its targets on? Are the targets needs based? It is quite clear that the demands on the service are continuing to outpace the resources available. I ask the Minister to take steps to address the continuing uncertainty about the allocation of SNAs and, in particular, the timeline for the publication of allocations in advance of the next school year. This is a perennial problem which makes life very difficult for school principals, SNAs, students and parents.

Also under programme A, I wish to refer to the output indicator for the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS. The indicator holds that a NEPS psychologist is to be assigned to all ordinary national and second-level schools. The indicator does not tell us how we are doing in that regard. Are we meeting demand? What are the waiting lists like? Is every child who needs access to the service getting it within a certain timeframe? If demand jumps, how do we make sure we have sufficient supply?

In his previous role as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Minister advocated for the private sector to have access to the right skills-----