Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. The pilot scheme has failed. We are certainly all in agreement on that. However, I am concerned about the backlog of children waiting for in-school therapists. I acknowledge that a disability forum will be set up, which is progress in the right direction, but there is a need and a vacuum now. Offaly School of Special Education has done its level best in working to get the in-school therapists in place but that still has not happened. Is it possible that private therapists could be hired in the interim until the disability forum is working properly? This is an emergency situation.

It is correct that the number of SNAs across the country has increased, but there are particularly acute needs in special schools. These schools feel that the current framework is restrictive. Could more flexibility be given in terms of the NCSE framework to allow schools more latitude to hire SNAs?

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