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

This is something the Department is aware of. Other colleagues, including Deputy Stanton, have requested another special school in Cork as well. I mentioned earlier some of the initiatives that are being taken around forward planning because I am not convinced that it was done adequately in the past. That has been acknowledged and that was obvious because there were gaps. That is why that work is being done but it will take a while before it delivers to exact standards, as it should. Having said that, there is serious engagement with the NCSE, the Department and schools, not just in County Cork but throughout the country, to ensure we have sufficient placements. Again, we have written to the post-primary schools and the primary schools are also aware of it. They know the legislation is there but we want to try to collaborate with them before we have to try to instigate that legislation.

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