Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Deputy's personal engagement with me on an ongoing basis on this whole area. In the first instance, I should say that we are now at a point where we have almost 40,000 professionals who are working in the area of special education. That is something that we had not achieved before. There is almost an even breakdown of 20,000 special education teachers and in and around 20,000 SNAs, give or take. That is a significant improvement from where we were at. However, I absolutely accept what the Deputy has said - it has already been mentioned by previous speakers, including Deputy Tully and others - about the SENOs. They are the key link on the ground. There has been a 50% increase in staffing levels in the NCSE on foot of the €13 million in additional funding provided. That will include not just SENOs but also advisers, who are important. For example, the Deputy referenced the assessment of need. Those advisers are important in providing any additional supports that might be required in the schools. On the assessment of need, Ms Mannion has articulated very well the supports that have been given to the schools. The Deputy talked about primary and post-primary levels. In terms of the assessment of need, 90% of applications are actually coming in at primary level. We will do absolutely everything we can to support the schools to find the process less daunting and challenging. That is why we are so clear that ultimate responsibility lies with the HSE. It will come from the NCSE to the school and there will be a single form to complete. That was another thing that caused problems initially. There was so much paperwork flying left, right and centre. Now, there will be one form to be filled out. Ms Mannion has referenced the supports that are available. If additional supports are required, the adviser is there as well. We will review the process in its entirety at the very end.

The Deputy has articulated very well - and it is my own vision - that where there is a special class, there has to be movement between the special class and mainstream. Movement between the special class and the mainstream should be encouraged. That is the absolute ideal. That is why special classes are set and located within the mainstream, so there is that continuity there. It is also my ambition that as we develop a variety of campuses going forward in education provision, there will be cases where there are special schools on the same campus as mainstream schools. There should be integration and familiarity there as well. That is the ideal. That is the world that we live in and the world that we want to promote. Going forward, I would like to see the special schools are located alongside the mainstream schools, with a crossover where possible between the-----