Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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That is exactly the reason I put the 44 therapists that were allocated to the NCSE on a permanent footing. They were not being hired because they had temporary contracts and that is exactly what they will be doing - going in, working with the teachers and collaborating with them. All the evidence points to a reduction in the need for additional supports in these schools, and better learning outcomes for the children. Obviously, the teachers are more equipped and the capacity-building is there within the school. This is the reform and where I want to move into. This is the space I am in. I am not happy we are here. It is not about me being happy - I know that - but I am doing everything I can to make sure. It is about the relationships as well, and about that information sharing, as Senator Currie highlighted. What the school knows and what the NCSE knows are two different things sometimes and that is the loop I want to solve, as well as the training and supports for teachers. We cannot expect teachers to walk into a class with additional needs without feeling they have the adequate training. There are supports available, and the NCSE and the Department will be providing that to teachers as well and schools on the ground, in order to roll out these classes.