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

I thank the Deputy. I accept his point regarding the majority of children with additional needs being educated in mainstream schools. That is the case. Obviously, there are special classes that cater for approximately 8,000 pupils and there are 124, or almost 126, special schools that cater for an equal number of children. Each of these educational environments provides a vital service to children with additional needs. Depending on the level of complexity of need, such children will be in a mainstream class, a special class or a special school. The Deputy is right to say that if there were to be a shift - there is no such shift envisaged at present - it would have to be done over a long period. However, I believe inclusivity is at the heart of the education system and a review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN, Act is on my list of action priorities.

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