Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate what the Minister is saying. However, the circular specifically states, "the special education teacher allocation model continues to take account of gender differentials by giving a small additional weighting for gender based on the number of boys attending each school. The weighting for each school will therefore take account of the gender profile, [that is] the number of boys attending". From talking to principals of girls' schools, as well as teachers, they are not, generally, convinced of the basis for this policy. The reality is that girls are every bit as disadvantaged as boys and this appears to be a black and white case of discrimination. Will the Minister put forward the evidence supporting these criteria and make that evidence available for us to look at? There still seems to be confusion and the circular is adding to it.

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