Ms Debbie O'Neill:

That has not happened to our four schools. We have been extraordinarily steadfast in trying to hold the line on maintaining our designation. However, there certainly are schools among the group of 30 of which we are a part that have been forced to change designation. It is very disappointing to see the Minister sending out the very same letter every time somebody asks a question about this. It is stated that of the 30 schools, 16 have already broadened their designation. In fact, we have all broadened our designation to meet the need, but the schools that have had to change their policies are finding it extraordinarily difficult to cope because their designation has become so broad. One school in Dublin has had to stop offering the junior certificate because it can no longer provide the level of teaching required on the basis of the complexity of need of the children it has had to bring in. It is not okay just to broaden the designation and then not provide the resourcing to match it. That dilutes what can be offered across the entire cohort.