Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would be happy to write to the Deputy setting out what is contained in the reply because if I am to obey the Chair, I do not have the time to give him the full reply. I am happy to indicate there has not been the reduction in supply he suggests because the demand has not increased as he has alleged. It was not brought to my attention by any of the education partners that there was a shortage of SNAs in recent months despite the increase in pupil numbers in the system. I do not know how many times I have to say that to the Deputy. He has taken two statistics, seen a 10% increase and presumed that meant a similar increase in supply was required in order to meet that demand. That has not been manifest in the system and even to this year, the allocation so far from the NCSE is below the 10,575 figure because the reserve has been kept.

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