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

I want to reassure the Deputy that I know this is being looked at and that it has been looked at. I will bring the Deputy's contribution on further analysis back to the Department. The staffing ratios in special schools are significantly lower than in mainstream schools and that is intended to ensure the needs of their students can be met effectively. The Deputy is correct that they are our most vulnerable children, above and beyond mainstream education. These are special schools and we have about 8,500 children in special schools. Some families of students in special schools who have a sibling attending a DEIS school may already have access to a HSCL co-ordinator. I know that scheme is an integral part of the DEIS scheme and we will be considering all matters pertaining to it in relation to special schools.

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