Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I will have no problem in doing so. Last year the Minister abolished 120 special needs classes, with over 500 children being placed in mainstream classes. Some of these children even had to be toileted. Some of the schools in question are now at risk of losing further SNAs and resource hours.

I have learned that schools are finding it more difficult to get help from the NCSE because, unless needs are obviously extreme such as the need for toileting or a child has no speech, there are no appropriate supports available. I was given a clear example by a school principal. He told me that children with speech and language difficulties may also have difficulties in the playground. They may not be able to relate to those around them and may not understand the rules of the game. If they do not have an SNA to help them understand the rules, children dump them and throw them out of the game because that is the way children are.

We need to look very carefully at this review. Has the Minister seen the report that is due out at the end of March? What number of SNAs do we expect will be cut? When will the Minister implement the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act in full? When will he increase the number of psychologists available to schools?