Mr. Sé Goulding:

I dealt with the issue of special classes at second level. Senator Moran's point is that there are not enough such classes. I pointed out the increase in numbers in the past four to five years. The role of the SNA is to meet the significant care needs arising in the school setting. Two of the traditional care needs which are often referenced are feeding and toileting and these would have been some of the primary care needs that were addressed at the start of the scheme. The number of SNAs in post-primary schools have increased in the past four to five years from around 2,000 to 2,400 so there has been a 20% increase, which would reflect the number of students transitioning through from primary to post-primary education. The numbers are increasing and the number of teachers and SNAs in the post-primary sector has increased to meet that need. We would recognise that there are soft barriers in place but in the main the majority of students are transitioning through in mainstream. As I mentioned earlier, schools are open to establishing special classes, but there are lead-in times and there are difficulties sometimes in terms of where they are needed and sometimes there are difficulties in opening the classes. However, we need to recognise that a great deal of progress has been made.

Senator Moran asked about the numbers taking continuous professional development courses. We would not have those numbers. That information is primarily available from the Special Education Support Services, SESS, and if necessary we will go back to the SESS and obtain the information and let Senator Moran have it. From our contacts with the Special Education Support Service it is very active in trying to let schools know what continuous professional development courses are available. In fairness to schools, there are issues in respect of substitution but the SESS places a heavy emphasis in trying to ensure that as many teachers as possible are upskilled in meeting the special education needs of the students enrolled .

Senator Moran also mentioned the transition to adult service. She is correct. I referenced that earlier. In many cases the students will be leaving the education sector and perhaps moving into areas, other than education, such as employment or to supports provided by the HSE. That is the reason I mention that the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has identified it as a priority in trying to see what supports are available in further and higher education for adults with special education needs.