Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)

I want to ask about the mild special schools. The Minister told us not to worry and said the children in these schools will not be losing places. These schools provide a unique and valuable service. My worry is not that the children will lose that but that in diversifying the learning profile of these schools, we will crowd out students with mild learning disabilities. I want to know what will be done to ensure these mild special schools continue to operate as such, with more investment in order to have all the options, not either-or.

With regard to NEPS, many schools in Kildare have contacted me to say they have had zero access to a psychologist this year. Is anything being done to guarantee that every school can have access to a psychologist?

When can we expect to see the results of the education for persons with special educational needs review?

Many principals have contacted me recently. In line with the programme for Government goal to trial new administrative supports and arrangements for principals to reduce the non-educational aspects of their workloads, will the Minister consider additional administrative days for vice-principals at primary level, which has been mentioned to me by a few principals in Kildare, and maybe the introduction of the special educational needs co-ordinator, as the union recommended?