Ms Paula Prendeville:

Deputy Murnane O'Connor asked about autism classes. I come from a background of working in those classes. I have worked in them as a teacher and as a clinician on the other side of the fence. I very much understand where the Deputy is coming from. I also recognise the challenges with the backlog and assessments. I will now answer her question wearing my NCSE hat while acknowledging that I have a sense of the overall issues that are occurring.

Recommendations for special classes are based on reports provided at local level.

To respond specifically to the Deputy, it would be useful if the NCSE could follow up with her directly on those queries. It is difficult for me to address those queries when I do not know the intricacies involved. When there is an identified need for these places in the NCSE and our SENOs recognise that need, we do our utmost to ensure that classes are established for children in specific areas. That probably would be the best approach to respond to the Deputy's question. I can follow up with her after the meeting, if that is okay.