James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, yesterday the Minister for Education and Skills announced additional special needs assistants, SNAs, for those with special needs in the school system. The number will be in the region of 600. As part of that conversation, I made a strong case for the need for special assistants who would provide special assistance to children in the preschool years. This would not necessarily follow an SNA-type model.

Deputy Troy asked a number of questions which relate to other Departments. My Department would not have that information. In particular, those awaiting assessment would be a matter for the HSE. Nonetheless, this group is doing its work. It will look at how best to address these issues and how best to support children with special needs. I wish to put it on the record of this House that I believe that had we had a proper system in respect of this area, the later necessity for much of the support in the primary school system would have been obviated and children of two to five years, and younger even, would be getting the special additional support they need. Much of that, however, is beyond my remit in terms of speech and language therapy and other therapies.

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