Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for setting out the Department's position on this issue. This was a callous decision and one which should be revisited. I welcome the confirmation from the Minister of State that the final allocation for 2012-13 has not been made yet. However, parents are frightened that their children will lose the SNA support currently in place. The Minister of State referred to an exceptionally high level of support in the school. This is true but these are exceptional children and their needs are extraordinary. I know the school and I have visited it on several occasions. I know of the challenges faced by the SNAs and the mainstream teachers working there. Like any parent, these parents simply want the best for their children. The research clearly proves that the outcomes will be affected if the supports are not put in place early.

I realise the Minister is working within an overall cap in the number of posts. However, I cannot understand how a school such as Sonas, which has extraordinary requirements, will lose one quarter of its SNA allocation under the arrangements put in place by the NCSE given that the overall numbers will not change. I plead with the Minister of State and his colleagues to revisit this decision and to avail of the opportunity to take a second look at this issue, to allow the children attending Sonas to be given the same opportunity that every other child has and to allow the school to retain the current SNA provision.

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