Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy Cummins for her question. To answer it straight, no, we will not suspend it and it needs to be put in context with what is being done in respect of special education at present. There are over 23,000 SNAs currently in place in the education system, which is an increase of 43% since 2020, and budget 2025 added 1,600 SNAs, the largest increase to date. Almost 21,000 special education teachers support children with special needs. Therefore, there is a huge amount being done in the area. I am conscious that there are demands on the system that need to be filled and I know, from speaking to the Minister of State, Deputy Moynihan, and the Ministers, Deputies McEntee and Foley, that a huge amount of work has been done. Some 407 new special classes were sanctioned for this current academic year, 300 of which were in mainstream schools. There is a lot being done but we will not suspend the guidelines.

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