Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

The Minister made the point earlier that there had been an increase of 1,000% in the number of special needs assistants in schools. He also said there were 60,000 primary teachers and 10,000 special needs assistants. It might be useful to know how these compare with the figures for primary level education in other countries in the European Union. Deputy Crowe has referred to a lack of uniformity in assessing the needs of particular children. From my knowledge as a public representative, the appointment of special educational needs organisers was a worthwhile and positive development which stemmed from the establishment of the National Council for Special Education. Is there any element of the EPSEN Act which the Minister hopes to initiate, considering the commitment given in the programme for Government, perhaps an aspect that may not be as demanding as other strands of the Act?

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