Mr. Dalton Tattan:

Absolutely. There would be a lot of concern and we would understand that in trying to change the system from what we had. A lot of people, including parents, would have talked to us about the inadequacies in the current system. Obviously, changing that creates uncertainty so we have met with all the education partners repeatedly on this and they are broadly supportive. Groups such as the National Parents' Council have been very supportive of this. At the moment, the special education section combined with the inspectorate and NEPS and the NCSE are doing a series of information sessions with schools to explain how this is changing. There was one in Croke Park this week for primary and post-primary schools, and there will be one next week in Limerick.

To pick up on the earlier point about NEPS role, it will continue to have a role on resource teaching even under the new model but the role will be different. It will be more supportive of schools. Instead of NEPS spending time doing assessments, that time can be used more profitably assisting schools, working with pupils and teachers to support their needs.