Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is also important that the necessary supports are in place. The Department has provided schools with guidelines concerning how to implement the reduced school days. As part of this approach, schools are required to engage with the variety of services available. This includes the SENOs, who are particularly relevant in this situation. The Tusla education support service will monitor this aspect as well. It is now obliged to report on how the timetables are being used and how beneficial they are. Therefore, there is strong oversight of the use of these timetables. They can be used well but it is important that everybody is happy with how they are being used and aware that there is also an oversight and monitoring structure in this context.

Regarding some of the points raised by the Deputy, and starting with Gaelscoil Uí Earcáin, I cannot give the Deputy a definite answer on this subject. Where a school feels it has additional needs in respect of the staffing that has been apportioned to it based on its needs, there is an opportunity to appeal. Such a mechanism exists.