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

At this point we cannot rule anything in or out. The National Council For Special Education, NCSE, is due to come back to me with its conclusive policy advice on an inclusion model for the Irish system. I like to talk about the Irish model as distinct from any other model. The Deputy will be aware that in this budget we secured funding for the expansion of the school inclusion model into two additional community healthcare organisation areas. That will start in September 2021. This is a multidisciplinary approach which will revolutionise the experiences of children with special needs in this country. There will be speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and behavioural crisis practitioners. All of that is already underway. It is important to bear in mind that in keeping with children's needs, special schools and special classes have different criteria to mainstream schools. This is always about the best interests of the child.

See this speech in context