Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is very welcome, and I appreciate her coming in to take my matter. This is about supporting SNAs. We have in excess of 16,000 in our inclusive education system. That inclusive education is hugely important to everybody. It is an aspiration that children with special needs, and special educational needs, will have the opportunity to be educated in their own localities, along with siblings and neighbours, in mainstream schools. Without the 16,000 SNAs, who are the bedrock of the system, that would not be possible. It is the work of the SNAs, day in, day out, that helps to ensure these children can go to school and participate in education locally. Their care and compassion are a testament to them. I know many SNAs and, honestly, the care and comfort they give to children makes things so much easier for parents and, of course, teachers and the whole school community.

We have a record number of children in mainstream schools. I think approximately 38,000 students avail of an SNA. I commend the Minister of State on launching the national training programme for SNAs last year, because everyone within the school community requires continuous professional development. This is the first time a course has been put in place to enhance the knowledge, skills and expertise of SNAs, and that is very important. This is being done in conjunction with UCD over a period of four years. Some 500 SNAs started this training in January. I have spoken to a number of these SNAs. It is a very ambitious and in-depth programme, which is good, but there is a concern that there is a lack of accreditation for SNAs undertaking the programme and I think that is wrong. SNAs undertaking this programme, both the present cohort of 500 and those who will under take it, should be accredited when taking this course.

I take this opportunity to raise two applications for autism spectrum disorder, ASD, classes in Newbridge, with the Minister of State. In Newbridge, we have a particular problem with a growing population and the need for extra places. St. Conleth and Mary's Primary School has an ongoing building programme. It has put in an application, which the Department supports, for a second badly-needed ASD class. The Holy Family Secondary School has also put in an application. I ask for the Minister of State’s support in these.

I have one other issue I would like to raise.I commend the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Foley, on the extra €80 million funding that has been put in for the summer provision to help support both children with special needs and those with educational disadvantage and give them the opportunity to catch up on the education they have missed over the last 14 months. It is a really good programme. However, I hear of schools not taking this up. Are there extra supports or is there a plan B to ensure the €80 million is taken up for the children that need it?