Mr. John Kearney:

It is good to meet the Deputy again. I thank him for the contribution he made during my previous role in Cavan-Monaghan, the insights he gave, and the difference he made to the lives of many parents and young people in that region. He set the scope for future-proofing at post-primary level and the incorporation of special classes in all new builds. He started that off and, as we know, it has been extended and embellished by the Department in the delivery of the national development programme.

When making his point, the Deputy mentioned good examples of strong school leadership and putting inclusive agenda at the top of the agenda to progress it.

As we know from parents and the political system, the NCSE's ambition is that children would attend their local school in their local community. Different needs dictate that at different times. At the moment our emphasis is on finding that special class placement. We may very well have to look at reconsidering our policy in terms of demand and need, how best to actually deliver that inclusive education, and what it means when we are dealing with the smaller primary schools in particular and the demands around them not necessarily getting the 6:1 student ratio. We will certainly be looking at that resource portfolio in time. I will ask my colleague Ms Prendeville to discuss the progression pathways that were mentioned. It is certainly an area of future development and evaluation. I will now invite Ms Prendeville to look at the continuing professional development, CPD, element of that. Ms McGrath may then take the Deputy's query about expansion.