Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State referenced how the Wexford model has worked. That is what I am hearing anyway, and I have discussed this with colleagues. Could the Minister of State again elaborate on this? She mentioned that 220-odd posts were required and that 126 of them have actually been appointed at this stage. There is therefore a shortfall of approximately 100 appointees that are yet to take up a post. Can the Minister of State clarify where things are? How many of those posts are outstanding in terms of advertising, whatever the case may be? I would appreciate any updates in relation to that.

Second, the Minister of State and I both know that other stakeholders in Cork have stepped up to the plate while people have been going without. I am not trying to come in here again and speak negatively about the provision of service that people get in these special schools. Yet, for the largest part, many children are going without basic intervention and certain groups, such as Rainbow Club Cork, have stepped in. Can the Minister of State elaborate on the role of Rainbow Club Cork to bridge that gap in the short term?

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