Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister and I thank him for taking the time out from his busy schedule to deal with this query. St. Paul's School in Montenotte, Cork, has 95 students. Some have moderate learning disabilities and some have severe and profound learning disabilities. As I understand it, there are 15 class teachers and 35 special needs assistants.

There is a problem in the school. I spent two hours there recently. I put it to any public representative that it is well worth visiting these facilities from time to time to see the dedication and commitment of the staff. They do a fantastic job and provide a fantastic service. They provide learning opportunities for people with disabilities.

I met the principal and many of the staff for a period of two hours. A number of issues arise. One child in the school at the moment requires two people to be with him at all times. This is putting extraordinary strain on the staff. They have a choice to make in the coming week or two weeks and may have to suspend the child from coming to the school unless they can get more resources. They are seeking an administrative deputy. The school had one previously, but unfortunately that is no longer the position. They have a teaching deputy and another post. However, the view of the staff there is that if they had an administrative deputy, it would ease many of the difficulties they are facing.

The staff provide a fantastic service. The facility is close to the Cope Foundation, which provides care for over 1,200 people in residential settings and over 1,500 people on a day-care basis. The school is doing a very good job. It needs more support and that is why I have tabled the commencement matter today. I call on the Minister to provide a favourable response.