Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is not a question and answer session but I will briefly answer the Deputy's question. First of all, in the special education package for the reopening of schools we dedicated approximately €14.7 million for SNAs. Another €13 million was allocated to the provision of PPE, cleaning and other measures.

On the issue of giving a commitment for the future, €1.9 billion, or approximately 20% of the overall departmental Vote, is dedicated to the special education sector. Obviously, I will be looking for an increase in that allocation in the upcoming budget in October. We have approximately 17,000 SNAs and I will be looking for more in that regard as well. It will be difficult to ascertain the extent of Covid and we must take that into account. I can reassure the Deputy that I will be fighting very hard for this sector because I wish to be an advocate for those children and their needs and I will do everything in my power to represent them.

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