Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I genuinely appreciate the efforts that are being made. I do not disregard the figure of in excess of 19,000 SNAs that are in circulation. That is a large increase, and we must acknowledge it. At the same time, in many instances, the increase in SNA allocations is not being reflected on the ground. In the cases I outlined, many of the schools have applied to the NCSE and appealed decisions. In some instances, they may have received a minor increase in their SNA allocation. In one case, a school received an increased SNA allocation of 0.87, but it goes nowhere near addressing its needs.

I will return to an example I gave where there are two children in a junior class and two children in a senior class, all of them with significant needs, and the school received an SNA allocation of 0.5.

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In this instance, even the SENO recommended an increase to an allocation of one but the NCSE turned it down. I am trying to highlight the disconnect between the NCSE and schools, principals and staff, regarding how things are operating on the ground. It is impossible to expect the NCSE, or anyone, to be fully aware of the day-to-day running of a school and the different incidents that may evolve or happen during the course of a day but it is clear to me that the NCSE is not aware at all of what is happening on the ground and what these principals and teachers, in particular, have to deal with and cope with.

I am asking for a little more discretion, especially when it comes to a very well thought-out appeal. I also ask the Minister of State to look at the individual cases of the schools I mentioned, namely, Dreeny National School, Caheragh National School, Ballydehob National School, and St. Joseph's National School, Skibbereen. I appreciate there is a separation between her and the NCSE, but they make very strong cases for extra SNA allocation.

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