Mr. Martin McLoughlin:

Any school is to be commended if it has two classes and is willing to open a third. That is the first point.

The Chair is correct that the more we centralise our forward planning, look at data, etc., maybe we are removing a small bit of that local power the SENO had in the past. We are conscious that there is data coming now that there are vacancies in certain parts of the country in primary special classes and the question is whether one opens a new class or looks to fill the existing classes where there are experienced teachers, SNAs, etc., in place.

There is also, obviously, the planning and building unit side of things. If there is an additional accommodation aspect to a new special class, that probably has to be looked at. There is significant pressure on modular accommodation and additional accommodation from demographics at post-primary, accommodating Ukrainian children and international protection applicants as well.

Having said all of that, in larger counties, such as Cork, distance does come into it. If the Chairperson wishes, we can look at that particular example and maybe talk to the NCSE. I merely flag some of those additional issues that have to be looked at when making a call, either at local level or through ourselves and NCSE, around approving individual special classes in particular schools.