Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not think Deputy Wallace will be playing midfield with Wexford Youths any time in the future.

Section 7 of the circular states that in the case of new applications for SNA support, for children with behavioural care needs - that is, where a professional report has identified the care needs as being related to behaviour - in general, it will not be possible to consider access to SNA support until there has been a clear assessment of the child's needs in the classroom setting.

The term "in general" allows flexibility for the NCSE to make an SNA allocation immediately where there is a clear and obvious need. However, for most pupils, the circular sets out that it is important to assess how pupils respond to behaviour management strategies in class before allocating SNA support, as SNA support is not designed to be that first response to behavioural difficulties. This section of the circular will not prevent those pupils who need support from receiving that support.

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