Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is absolutely correct to raise these issues. Every child has a constitutional right to primary education and to the right to education in a public setting. The Department is working very hard to make sure that is the case. The Deputy is absolutely right to raise these issues. I will certainly bring them back directly to the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, who could not be here this morning, and the Minister. There are huge resources being provided.

There is a change in how these things are forecast, but that is always a very difficult task. I have outlined already that it is intended that further special classes will be sanctioned in the next few weeks. The Department and the NCSE have undertaken a number of new strategic initiatives to provide sufficient class spaces in primary and post-primary schools. This has happened as a result of collaboration and co-operation of schools, school leaders, boards, patrons and trustees. The provision of new special classes can make the difference and can be the difference between children with special educational needs accessing education, which allows them to reach their full potential, or otherwise remaining in settings unsuited to their needs. I agree with the Deputy that this is not the way things should be. As part of the budget, there are additional staff in all areas of this sector to ensure that people's special educational needs are met.

I hope I have provided some insight into the work that is going on. I look forward to the announcements in the coming weeks. I have no doubt that the Minister, the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, and the officials will engage further with the planning and building unit, and will be in touch with the school as part of their ongoing engagement. They will certainly bear in mind everything the Deputy has said here today, about which nobody could argue.

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