Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The figures the Taoiseach sets out and the percentage of the education budget allocated for special education, resources and supports are testimony to the need within the education system. The evidence of the Government's commitment in this area is fairly scant and mixed given that, year on year, families and children are left in limbo, as I have outlined.

I am very pleased to hear there will be additional resources. I look forward to hearing the Minister setting out the details. This, however, does not answer the central question that is on the minds of SNAs and parents and causing distress to some children. For the next school year, commencing in September, when will people know whether they will have the support of an SNA? What will be the extent of that support? When will schools be in a position to say to SNAs they have a job?

I look forward to the Minister setting out the new procedure that the Taoiseach has referred to. God knows, it is convoluted. It is not helped and is in fact aggravated by the uncertainty in this sector. What caused the delay? Will SNAs and families hear this week or next week whether the SNAs will have a job? Can we have a date, please?

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