Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has mentioned it three times already, so I will find out where it is at.

Turning to Deputy Bacik, there has been a massive increase in the number of special needs assistants. I will follow through on the issues she has raised in terms of what has been provided.

I take Deputy Crowe's point on the census. I have seen this issue before in terms of how transience in rental accommodation can affect the demographic going into any school and it may not often be appreciated by the criteria. Let us be honest, the previous Minister increased DEIS hugely. You always have to target resources. If you get above a threshold then you are not targeting properly. The DEIS-plus will help us with some of the most difficult ones. There is an issue where some schools get designated and others in close proximity do not, but there are special issues the Deputy has mentioned that should be factored in like Ukraine, war or whatever.

Deputy Dempsey mentioned acute and urgent issues in terms of early intervention, CDNT issues and the need for increased funding. I acknowledge all the difficulties she outlined. They are true and we have significant issues there.

I will follow up Deputy Conway-Walsh's question about specific training at junior certificate level.

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