Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael)

Regarding the SNA review process, I have been contacted by a number of principals in a number of schools, and certain things I can figure out and I understand the logic about it, but one of the concerns is the unification and redeployment risk. One school principal stated:

SNA allocations are now unified across mainstream and special classes, and this removes the protection autism class resources had while also setting up for internal conflict and resentment of autism classes within mainstream schools. The level of need in autism classes will often be higher, and if that leads to mainstream SNAs being removed and those children being less supported, it will lead to resentment of classes. The narrow definition of complex need and level 3 care needs exclude many children, and the hand-washing of behaviour care needs is completely at odds with the reality on the ground.

Another school principal said:

... unrealistic definition and exclusions. The narrow definitions of complex needs and the level 3 care needs leave many children out. The decision to dismiss behavioural care needs shows a worrying lack of understanding of the realities children, families, and schools face every day.

Will Mr. Kearney give a clearer definition of that?