Mr. John Kearney:

There are multifaceted observations and queries there for us. I cannot speak for the staffing levels of the HSE and the CDNTs but I know from our constant engagement that the biggest gaps will be in therapy supports and respite supports, and I know the Deputy is also dealing with parents and school communities daily when they engage with her in this regard. The school system is picking up on this and, by extension, the NCSE itself.

The Deputy has correctly identified staffing shortages within the Kilkenny and Carlow area. I have to commend the Department of Education and the Government at large on recognising the staffing levels of the NCSE. This was a stretched organisation due to the phenomenal growth of special classes over the past ten or 12 years and the exponential growth of special education activity. The staffing levels within the NCSE had stayed static and the Government responded to that. We had a workforce of 65 SENOs delivering the service but it was a service that was stretched to its teeth. We are progressively and incrementally working towards a complement of 100 SENOs on the ground by May, which should see enhanced service delivery.

On the Deputy’s specific request, we very much want to meet her and her colleagues throughout the country. We know the phenomenal work they do, day in, day out, with parents and in then feeding that into the system. We would welcome any particular meeting she wants.

My colleague might answer the more targeted questions that she raised with regard to school communities. There was a flashpoint last year but we worked progressively towards dealing with that. My colleague will address how that was achieved.