Mr. Jim Mulkerrins:

It is quite substantial. As we move forward and look at the significant increase in the numbers of children who have been diagnosed with special educational needs and the growth in population generally, the cost of implementation will significantly increase. We are trying to bring about the best elements of EPSN on a non-statutory basis at the moment and that approach seems to be working well with schools. Schools are happy to implement IEPs. The pilot schools were very positive about how they were introduced in the context of the new model. We have had a positive experience on that. In terms of the role of the SENO, Ms Griffin might address matters.

We have had an ongoing engagement with Irish-medium schools. We recognise that there are difficulties in Irish-medium schools. We did not get any significant feedback and certainly none of a negative nature from Irish-medium schools in the context of the pilot. We are aware that some Irish-medium schools tend to have difficulties, in particular those which are not in Gaeltacht areas, in recruiting SNAs with an appropriate level of Irish. I am not quite sure what we can do about that given the rapid growth in SNA numbers. It is something we could consider in the context of training. There is funding available to boards of management for training SNAs, but that does not immediately address the issue. It is something we will take into account.