Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 30 November 2022

Select Committee on Education and Skills

Estimates for Public Services 2022
Vote 26 - Education (Supplementary)
Vote 45 - Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Supplementary)

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will appreciate that during the Covid-19 pandemic, there were knock-on effects on our special schools and the development of community-based education. The Department has worked closely with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. We have had a number of engagements with her and with the wider partners in education on this. An agreement has been reached for CDNTs to return to special schools. Where it was possible to do it immediately, it was done immediately and we are continuing to work through it. I acknowledge the work of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in particular on this. She is equally committed to seeing them return to special schools. It is a positive development for special schools.