Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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To be clear, the scheme is run nationally, and it is logical at that level from a budget point of view. It might seem illogical in individual cases, but the same rules must apply throughout the system. With regard to who makes the decision, special education needs organisers, SENOs, implement national rules. They cannot discard the rules. They try to follow guidelines and principles. They must judge and recommend the school that a child is eligible to attend. It is generally the nearest school, but in the case of a child with a disability or a language issue the nearest school suitable to these needs is found and this is properly resourced. SENOs must judge this based on the national guidelines and make a recommendation. It is probably helpful along the way if they meet the child, but this is not necessary to be able to judge where is the nearest school with supports. It is generally done through reports. It is wrong to blame SENOs, who must follow the rules. We try to make these rules as fair as we can throughout the country. We are always reviewing them to see if we can make changes, but there must be a system to judge which school a child will attend.