Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to acknowledge at the outset the co-operation that has been forthcoming from Members of the House to this point, particularly from the Opposition spokespersons on education.

In relation to this amendment, the Bill provides for new functions of school patrons, schools and boards of management in co-operating with the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, particularly in the provision and operation of new special classes. The Deputy is seeking to amend a new function being placed on the school patron but has not proposed similar amendments to that function in respect of a school or indeed a board of management.

The Bill provides for school patrons, schools and boards of management to co-operate with the NCSE without any conditions being attached to such co-operation. Accepting this amendment, which relates specifically to school patrons, would result in a lack of consistency in the new functions of school patrons, schools and boards of management in co-operating with the NCSE.

I want to assure the Deputy that my Department and the NCSE are committed to resourcing and supporting schools to open new special classes. Some 300 additional special classes have been opened in the 2021-22 school year. At least 315 more classes are expected to open for the incoming 2022-23 school year. A relevant provision already exists in section 7 of the Education Act 1998, which relates to the functions of the Minister. Under section 7, the Minister is required to ensure that there is made available to each person who is resident in the State, including a person with a disability or other special educational needs, a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting their needs and abilities. Under section 7, the Minister is also required to provide appropriate funding to schools.

In relation to the specific wording of the amendment, without some clarity on what is meant by "the adequate provision of resources and supports", it may be difficult to define what is involved when engaging with a range of school patrons in an effort to provide additional special classes.

I have outlined a number of issues, including the need for consistency with other provisions in the Bill and the practical issue of the interpretation of the amendment. For those reasons, I regret that I cannot accept this recommendation.

See this speech in context