Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

I thank all our guests for their attendance and their presentations. There was a lot in common in all the presentations regarding the issues facing the sector.

I want to talk about SNA allocation. It was stated that it was very late compared to the set allocation. A school contacted me to say it had three students with significant needs hoping to enrol for September. It stated that, to accept their enrolment, an additional SNA allocation would be required. It sought a review in March and felt it was going to be approved for an additional SNA – a “0.83” post – for a junior infants class. When it received its allocation, it was still at the old level. Is this something the guests are hearing from schools? We were told by the Minister that the allocation would change, but has it increased sufficiently to meet incoming needs? When I contacted the NCSE, it told me it would come up with an appeals process. I said the school had already gone through a review and had planned ahead so it could tell parents it could accept their sons or daughters. I am wondering whether this is something-----