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

I thank the Deputy for her questions. It had been planned that the front-loaded allocation model for SNAs would be rolled out to all schools from the commencement of the 2021 school year. Due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 crisis, including the closure of all school buildings in March 2020, it was decided that the introduction of the model would be deferred. This will allow time for the necessary planning and training for schools.

Supplementary provision and summer provision will be of assistance to children with special needs. We are doing everything we can to ensure there is an option of supplementary provision being provided in schools. We are having an ongoing conversation about that with our education partners. The provision has been extended by two weeks for post-primary students who are not yet back in schools and also extended to pupils in third to sixth classes.

The Deputy referred to ASD classes in schools. We will have 112 additional special class places in 2021.

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