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

When I made the decision to reverse what previously had been Government policy and to maintain the status quo rather than reduce it back in June, it was a move that was welcomed by all concerned. On foot of that decision, I knew I would have to find the resources for that from elsewhere within my budget at that time. We were able to do that successfully without diminishing the provision of services elsewhere.

I could have given the impression that I was going to get an earlier report. I got a work-in-progress report but I was never under the impression that they would come up with an alternative model by the end of this calendar year. If I conveyed that impression to the Deputy, then I apologise. I was certainly briefed by the chief executive and others that it would take at least until the spring of 2014. Mr. Eamon Stack told me that he had made good progress with all of the interested parties and groups involved. From his own constituency work and as his party's spokesperson on education, the Deputy will be aware of the variety of concerns. The allocation model we have is over ten or 15 years old. A lot of research has been undertaken both here and abroad in that time. On the basis of what we now know collectively, including such research and the report that was sent to me, the NCSE is considering whether there is a better and more effective way of allocating resources to children with special educational needs. Based on the progress made to date, I am told that they will have a substantive report in spring 2014 but I cannot be any more precise than that.

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