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

I discussed this issue with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, today, and only in the last week with the Minister of State with responsibility for special education, Deputy Madigan. The explanation they gave me is that this new model is fairer. Two thirds of schools will have the same number of hours or will, in fact, gain hours. It is not the case that complex needs will not be a factor any more at all. The schools data around complex needs will be used, rather than HSE data, which I am told is patchy and inconsistent. It still remains, therefore, a criterion. A review process is under way for any school that wishes to question its allocation of SET. I will be happy to provide the Deputy with a detailed note on this issue, which, for me anyway, is reassuring.

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