Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael)

I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I acknowledge the concerns he has articulated on behalf of the children and parents concerned. I want to make it clear that the Government, the Department, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, working with the NCSE, have committed to ensuring all children can access an education suitable to their needs. AIM is about ensuring accession and inclusion and it is disturbing to hear the Deputy's remarks regarding the testimony of parents and children.

The Department of Education and Youth will continue to engage extensively and intensively with the NCSE in regard to the forward planning for new school provisions to ensure every child, including children in Kerry, have a place in an education setting that best fits their educational need. It is important that we do this with a focus on the policy of having an inclusive education model that promotes that children will be supported to receive an education that is in the most inclusive and appropriate setting possible. That is why there has been a significant increase in recent years in resources and supports provided to children with additional needs accessing the AIM programme.

Where demand is identified for early intervention classes, they will be sanctioned by the NCSE and established in the relevant schools. The NCSE continues to examine the information gathered through the parents' notification system and to match that demand to appropriate schools in local areas. It is envisaged that the location of the majority of special classes, including early intervention classes, will be sanctioned by December this year, which is four months earlier than in previous years. Parents, therefore, will be able to apply for specialist places much earlier than in previous years.

The Minister and Minister of State, Deputies McEntee and Moynihan, continue to meet with the NCSE and with senior departmental officials on a weekly basis to discuss the progress being made in providing special classes for the next school year. I will take the points made by Deputy Daly back to them. I thank him for raising the matter.

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