Dr. Niall Muldoon:

From our point of view, there is a sense that SENOs only go so far. They have statutory obligations under the legislation but we need to look at what they are being provided with in terms of the tools and the strength they have when they look for something. In terms of the issue of school places referred to by the Deputy, SENOs should have the strength to sort such issues but we are finding that we are getting involved more and more. In the past year we had two section 37 orders from the Minister. That should not happen. These issues should be capable of being sorted out locally, through the preparation of reports and engaging with school patrons and principals. That should be sufficient, if the statutory backing for SENOs was available to them. That is what we are here for - to look at the statutory obligations that are there, enact what we can and make it as clear as possible what the obligations of schools are in relation to providing for children with disabilities.