Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the last point first in respect of SNAs. I wish to publicly thank the SNAs for their ongoing work over the past months since 12 March. Somebody who spoke earlier was correct in saying that the school buildings may have closed but, like that of the teachers, the work continued. One of the additional features of the summer provision this year compared with July provision is that parents of children with Down's syndrome, autism or severe and profound intellectual disabilities and moderate intellectual disabilities have the choice of availing of an SNA or a teacher as that tutor for the home-based provision. Currently, almost 10,000 are registered. We are relying, first, on the choice of parents to opt for either an SNA or a teacher but second, we also are operating under a voluntary structure. However, I am confident from the level of enthusiasm and ongoing dedication at a school to student level that we will be in a good place in that regard.

With regard to the reconnection point, teachers get the gaps in that regard. They understand the regression aspect in regard to children with special educational needs. It is about reconnecting with the schools. Another Deputy raised the issue of preschool. That is the reason I added the early intervention year as a feature of summer provision, in terms of that transition. Deputy Michael Moynihan raised the issue of transition from sixth class for children with special educational needs. If there are specific examples around that, I am happy to address that. I will send a formal reply to the Deputy on her other question.

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