Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My understanding is that the allocations are made every year based on the profile of the children in the school. For example, in any given year children with particular needs may leave the school and move on to another one or more kids with special needs may come in. It is based on the profile of the children in the school, not on the school itself. I understand that what Deputy Ó Ríordáin is saying is correct. We have 1,000 more special education teachers than we had back in 2021 and two thirds of schools will be gaining hours or having the number of hours remain the same. About one third of schools will be losing and in most cases, this loss will be less than five hours. My understanding is that this is based on the profile of the children currently in the school or due to be in the school for next year.

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