Mr. John Kearney:

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I will cover the majority of the questions in relation to the placements. First, at primary level, roughly 50% of schools have special classes and 50% do not. What we worked on in a very strategic sense with our colleagues in the Department this year was collaborating and working with large primary schools that had eight teachers and one special class or no special class to ensure the larger primary schools had that degree of access.

Nationally, as well, the demographics are changing at primary level. It makes sense from an Exchequer perspective, in terms of the best use of capital outlay, that we are focusing on the areas where available space is coming on stream. They are doing so. As an organisation, we conducted 1,600 site visits to schools. We constantly engage with schools. There are changing dynamics, very much along the lines of the complexities the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach alluded to. We are, though, trying to optimise the solution that caters for the level of need right throughout the country.

To clarify regarding the post-primary level, there is a collective responsibility right across that level now. Some 70% of schools actually have special classes. In line with the Department's strategy, it is envisaged from a capital outlay perspective that every post-primary school in the country will have a special class, from a 500-pupil school that would two special classes, right up to a post-primary school of 1,000 capacity that would have four special classes. Over time, that will reconcile itself in terms of every single post-primary school having special classes.

I was a school principal myself. I know the importance of school recruitment, having an allocation of teachers and SNAs, and then progressing that as quickly as possible over the summer months, so that you can have your staff up and running. There is a general commitment right across the system, very much led by both Ministers, that the SET and SNA allocations for next year will be out earlier. As an organisation, we will fully subscribe to that. My colleague will take the Chair through the SNA appeals and review mechanisms.