Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

How many children are going to benefit from that approach?

As I have said on many occasions, I am open to listening to the concerns of schools and that schools could make a case to keep those class. Only 40 of the 119 schools concerned have written to my Department seeking to retain their classes. My Department is currently reviewing these appeals and has listened to the concerns of the INTO about a small number of schools. Officials have also discussed the issue with the IPPN. It is notable that the main concern for some of the schools is that they had placed pupils with low incidence special needs in these classes.

My Department recognises that some pupils need additional teaching support, over and above that provided by the general allocation model. Schools with pupils with low incidence special educational needs receive additional teaching support in line with their assessed disability. These schools will be referred to the National Council for Special Education to be allocated the additional resource teacher supports.

One school has advised that its special class pupils have a severe or profound general learning disability. This school is to be commended on showing such leadership in inclusion. This class will not be suppressed. It will be reclassified as a special class for pupils with a severe or profound general learning disability.

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