Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for taking the time to come in here today. I appreciate the great work they are doing in the Department of Education.

I have gone through the opening statements and there are a few questions I wish to ask. On the budget, a further 5% of the total education funding brings the area of special education to €2.7 billion. It also provides for an additional 744 special education teachers and 1,216 SNAs to be recruited in 2024. Funding is also provided for another 2,700 special education places in special classes. Is the Department happy with that? Is that enough, or is there ever enough? Is that what the Department has looked for or did it want to look for more? I know, as I have been a Minister. Normally, the Department knows what it is looking for. That is one aspect.

On the pilot programmes, I think it was said that there were 75 different pilot areas with 300 students involved. I know that has been articulated but maybe the witnesses could articulate how they are going and how they are going to be rolled out.

This committee is always talking about the consistent poverty disadvantage experienced by disabled people. A lot of the Departments are working in silos because they are so busy, and it is very difficult but I know that since the Covid-19 pandemic, they are beginning to collaborate a little bit more. How is the Department of Education working with the Department of Social Protection on addressing the cost of disability in Ireland?

A specific module on career guidance as part of training for teachers in special schools was talked about. How is that working out as well?