John Cummins (Waterford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Deputies for their advocacy in this area. As I stated in my opening remarks, I do understand it. I taught in the education system myself. I have met children who are similar to the children in the examples given by the Deputies.

It is important to also put in context that the Department will spend €2.9 billion this year on special education, one quarter of the entire education budget, rightly so, because those students require the supports the Deputies advocate for on the floor of the Dáil. More than 28,000 children are being supported in special schools and classes and the number of special classes has increased by 100% since 2020 through investment by the previous Government, which will continue under this Government.

It is the statutory responsibility of the NCSE to work with schools to provide sufficient special education provision each year. As already outlined, there is provision for a further 400 new special classes for the coming school year. A total of 336 of these new classes have already been sanctioned.

I take on board the point specific points about the reading classes. I will bring them back to the Minister for Education. I hear the passion of the Deputies on the issue.

See this speech in context