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

I thank Deputy Joan Collins for her questions. I will try to oblige her with answers. I mentioned earlier the dedicated package for the special education sector which specifically provides for SNAs but I will explain where that €14.7 million goes. What it means is that if, for whatever reason, an SNA is absent from a particular school, whether it is in a special school or in a special class in a mainstream school, he or she will be immediately replaced. That is where that funding is going. It also applies to caretakers, school secretaries and cleaners, because sanitisation is extremely important with Covid. We all know the role of an SNA is critical in terms of children with special needs being able to function and that is what that funding is provided for.

The Deputy mentioned sharing SNAs. The guidelines do not prevent the sharing or integration of SNAs.

So long as PPE is in place, that is the most important thing.

There has been a query about assessments and waiting times. That matter does not fall within my remit, it is within that of the Department of Health.

On SNAs and special education teachers, I have been strong about asking schools to ensure that they are used for the purpose for which they are intended, namely, to look after children with special needs. Some Deputies mentioned exploitation of SNAs or special education teachers. They should be used for that purpose alone unless there are exceptional emergency circumstances and all other possibilities have been exhausted. I refer to using the supply panel and checking the panel for regular substitutes in schools and using TextASub. Those three options must be completely exhausted before SNAs or special education teachers are be used for anything other than their specific purpose.

In my initial contribution, I referred to our significant progress regarding school places. I have stated from the outset that I will try to eliminate as much as I can because equality of opportunity for every child, regardless of whether he or she has special needs, is extremely important. Education is a right for all children. I am working extremely hard to do that. I can send the Deputy a written update if she requires.

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