Mr. Ciarán Cronin:

I will mention a few points on that. First, you can now only apply for a review of the SNA allocation between 15 September and 24 October. If a child with special educational needs joins a school during the year, you have to wait for that window to apply for a review, which on the ground means you have to remove support from another child in order to give the new child support, if their needs are greater.

The other thing that has been mentioned is behaviours of concern. That would include children who are aggressive in class and showing violent behaviours. In an SNA review, they are not considered children who most need the support of an SNA. Behaviours of concern are not included in complex needs. The reality is that in schools there are so many children who are only there because of the SNA who is sitting beside them, helping them to manage their behaviour and regulate themselves. What will happen is that the guidelines will lead, first, to fewer SNAs in schools and, second, it will lead to even more suspensions and expulsions from schools. That is where this will go.