Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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One of the advantages of being almost last to speak is that many of the questions have already been answered. I welcome the witnesses and thank them for the informative and helpful presentations. It is very encouraging to hear that there has been such positive feedback from the pilot to date.

School principals raise the issue of class size as an impediment to identifying children with special educational needs. Is that the elephant in the room when it comes to identifying children with difficulties? Some rural schools are concerned that they might lose out under this new scheme. Is that fear well founded? School principals, especially those who are also teaching, believe this may increase their workload. Is that fear warranted?

The final sentence of the second presentation stated: "However, further work is needed if we are to be sure that we are fully meeting the needs of children with special educational needs, including those with autism, in our schools." What exactly is meant by that? What further improvement is needed?