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

I understand there are still ongoing conversations on this matter and there is a commitment to extend the trial period. On principals or teachers being overburdened, as Minister of State with responsibility for special education, I acknowledge that schools are very complex organisations, as I have seen in the school visits I have undertaken. It is important that we acknowledge we are very lucky to have effective leaders in our schools, a point noted in the chief inspector's report recently.

It is also important to be clear that while completing the AON form is a task, it is not necessarily one that has to be completed by the principal. The guidelines and video support are clear that this task can be completed by another staff member.

This mirrors the efforts that we have undertaken to lessen the administrative burden on school leaders in general. For example, we strongly encourage principals, in organising the summer programmes, to delegate key tasks to others in the school.

Regarding teachers, I do not have time to continue.

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