Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and her officials for coming before the committee. We should re-emphasise the establishment of the SNA has probably been one of the most significant political achievements of the past 25 years. It shows the commitment of the political system to having an inclusive educational system. What concerns me when I hear other committee colleagues talk of how SNAs may be undervalued within a school is not so much the treatment of the SNAs, although that is important, but it signifies the school in question undervalues the children with special needs. That is why it is very important we introduce policies to ensure SNAs are treated equally and respectfully.

The committee is particularly interested in two issues and, in fairness, the Minister of State has dealt with them. One is the system of accreditation and the other is the raising of the minimum essential qualifications for SNAs. I am aware of the Minister of State's views but is there a hesitancy within the Department or elsewhere in government to the introduction of these measures, whether it is accreditation or the increase in essential qualifications, because it will necessarily or probably increase costs? What is her honest assessment of that?