Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. I know that the Deputy has a particular interest in special education and has engaged with me a number of times on it. We are deeply committed in this area, and while we were coming from a low base, it is an achievement to say we now have 3,000 special classes in the scheme and we can see that, for example, of the new special classes that are in place, 11 are in County Louth. We have 11 new special schools in place and, alongside all that, we are committed to delivering additional accommodation to schools that require it, as I have outlined, where there will be a two-class special educational base, two mainstream classrooms and a technical graphics room. We are totally committed. A great deal of work has been done, but I am not for a moment suggesting that work has been completed. More work needs to be done. It is in everybody's best interest that where we set up a class, the appropriate resources will be put in place. We have always done that and we will ensure we have done that, and if the Deputy requires anything additional, I will engage with him on that.

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