Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Hearne for raising what is a very important matter. I spoke to the Minister for Education on this issue this morning. I met this week the Ministers for Education and Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for disability specifically on the issue of children's disability services. There was an announcement today by the Minister for Education and the Minister of State with responsibility for special education regarding additional special class capacity for the coming year. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, wants to move beyond this year-to-year scramble for a place which is not fair on parents, children or schools. She has instructed the NCSE to not just look for this year but this year to also look for September 12 months. The Minister intends to meet parents either today or tomorrow.

Crucially, on the issue of therapies, we need to urgently advance the programme for Government commitment in respect of putting therapies back in special schools. This is a really important reform and I am happy to engage further on that.

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