Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is based on the needs of the child and the preschool setting. More than 4,000 children have already received support through AIM.

As regards early intervention classes, there were 132 such classes in the 2021-22 school year. We had 118 of them in 2015-16. The NCSE sanctioned the establishment of special classes, including early intervention where needed. There have been occasions when these classes have been redesignated into special classes. That occurs in circumstances where there is a changing age profile of students, a change in needs in an area or to ensure a continuum of support for pupils who require a special class placement. That rarely happens, however.

The Senator asked about therapeutic supports. Obviously, some children need additional supports for them to realise their potential. There are approximately 63 special classes for children with severe speech and language disorders. The inspectorate report on the work of these classes indicated that schools highly value the services of speech and language therapists, SLTs, who are allocated to support the work of special classes. Many SLTs have shared professional knowledge effectively with teachers. In short, this approach works but it is not perfect. The progressing disability service is really under the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. Its introduction has had an impact on the provision of therapeutic supports for children with SEN in schools. There are significant recruitment issues in that regard. One third of all posts remain unfilled at present, including SLTs and OTs. That has had a big impact on therapeutic supports, particularly in special schools. All present know of the benefits of such supports. As Minister of State, I accept that. The principle underpinning the school inclusion model, which will involve psychologists, OTs and SLTs working collaboratively with schools, will be of value. There is an issue in terms of recruitment of therapists, however, and we are working closely on that with my colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure we can provide the therapeutic supports to which the Senator is referring.