Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Clarke. Specifically with regard to special education we have seen unprecedented development. I concede it was coming from a low base. We now have more than 3,000 special classes in the system, two thirds of which were delivered under the Government in the past four years. We also have seven new special schools delivered by the Government and four additional special schools will open in September. An incredible emphasis is being placed on special education. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, is newly into the area and I welcome her. I know she is fully committed to ensuring we progress this area.

The teacher allocation that goes into special education is a ratio of six students to one teacher and two SNAs. There is no question we are prepared to open additional classes. We are prepared to open new special schools where they are required. I absolutely accept it is very difficult at times for parents to navigate the system. For this reason we have invested an additional €13 million in the National Council for Special Education to provide additional SENOs who will work on a one-to-one basis with parents to navigate the system for them and make it that bit easier.

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