Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)

In terms of training, work is being done to ensure that for next September anybody who starts teacher training will have that mandatory placement in either a special education classroom or in a special school. It is extremely important that any of our new teachers get this training. On top of that, I confirmed in February that Atlantic Technological University, ATU, had been awarded a contract to provide training for SNAs. We must ensure we are focused on having enough SNAs coming through as well. Almost 3,000 people have completed the course to date. Additionally, 300 plus postgraduate programmes are being funded through the Department specifically focused on special education. We have 40 more NCSE advisers too.

As the Deputy mentioned, though, the key area here concerns the 79,000 teachers plus already in situ. We are now working on the way in which they are receiving training. Anyone intending to become a special education teacher and allocated a class will have the training provided, but it is not necessarily the level of training provided to all our teachers. If 96% of students are supported in mainstream education, then every teacher is going to be engaged with somebody who has an additional need. It is extremely important, therefore, that every one of those approximately 80,000 plus teachers in our schools receive a level of training, so I am working with my Department to see how we can roll-out this training. It is obviously a great deal of work for Oide to ensure everyone can access the training, it gives them the support they need, is as appropriate as possible and makes people feel confident. Being confident is what teachers want to feel going into a classroom. This touches on the point made earlier by the Chair.

Turning to forward planning, and this also touches on one of the other questions asked, a huge amount of work is being done on looking at the population and housing developments, engaging with local authorities and ensuring we have the information as early as possible around SEN. This is why bringing forward these timelines is exceptionally important.