Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My colleagues have already referred to many aspects of special education, such as the assessment of needs. When parents come to the constituency clinic, one's heart sinks as one knows they have had a battle already, which will continue after they have left. Assessment of need must be addressed in order that children can get the right help, care and supports. Getting the place in school is important to enable them to have an education. The statistics show that some children are absent from schools because there are no places or supports for them. The special needs assistants, SNAs, are a critical part of the debate. While they are important to special education, they feel undervalued and unappreciated by the Department of Education and Skills. They go from one academic year to the next on short contracts without being paid during summer holidays. Mainstream class teachers would be unable to conduct their classes in the smooth, inclusive manner which they do, without the all-important SNA in their class. I ask the Minister to look at these things.

I also wish to acknowledge the good work that is being done. The Holy Family school is under construction in Cootehill. I acknowledge the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, for his visit to Cootehill to see the fantastic work being done there by the teachers at first hand. Hopefully the Government will ensure that the school and facilities needed are delivered there.

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