Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)

Gabhaim buíochas ar fad le gach duine. I will be quick because I want to hear from the witnesses. I will start on SNA allocation and go to the parents first. At the moment SNAs are allocated solely on the basis of on what we consider primary care needs, but we know that secondary needs being adequately met is crucially important for the success of children in our schools. Sensory and emotional regulation is paramount for the learning of children with autism. I have been a teacher for nearly 20 years in a primary school so I know at first hand how we, and the children, rely on that support. We might hear from the parents first on that and then Mr. Clerkin or Ms Quinn might speak on how they see the effects of that in the classrooms, le bhur dtoil.