Gareth Scahill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses today on their opening statements. I welcome back those who have been with us previously.

I will follow on what has been said by some of the previous speakers. Following the last couple of weeks, we do not want the message to lose its meaning. The role of the SNAs is exceptionally important within our schools and we really appreciate the job that they do within our schools and the opportunity that they give to our students.

Like so many of the committee members there today, over the last couple of weeks, rather than forwarding on emails to the Department and the NCSE, I have actively been going out and meeting SNAs and schools on the ground because you do not get a full appreciation of the situation until you visit each individual school and understand its lived experience and what it is managing within the school environment. That has been important.

I would like to ask the witnesses about the role of the special educational needs organiser, SENO, and the importance of the recommendation of the SENO. Could they expand on that for us so that we understand their recommendations and the process that goes through? If Mr. Kearney or Ms Corcoran wants to do that, I do not mind who takes that.