Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)

The Minister will be before the committee and I, as well as all those in opposition, would appreciate detailed, regular updates between now and September on the progress being made. Headline figures tell one story but I hope, as we accommodate more children, we can get the detail on that.

I make the point again on the children in Dublin and the four children in Sligo. I can send on details. There are five children in Murhur National School, Moyvane, County Kerry. There is potential there to accommodate children. There is physical space but a classroom is not sanctioned, although there is demand for it.

I will ask a follow-up question. We have long got responses referring to more than 22,000 SNAs employed, plus 1,600 sanctioned in budget 2025. Now the Minister tells us there are 23,100. That is 500 short. She said in every response we got - I am sure this will be reflected by others - that more than 22,000 SNAs are employed in the system and 1,600 extra SNA posts were sanctioned in budget 2025. In her response to this question, she said 23,100 would be allocated for next year. There is a shortfall of 500. Can the Minister explain that?

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