Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of enhanced funding for the education sector in budget 2022. I welcome in particular the greater staffing in terms of special needs assistants, with funding provided for more than 1,100 special needs assistants. There will be 980 new special education teachers, 620 of whom will provide additional support for children attending mainstream classes, including in new and expanding schools. Funding has also been provided for an additional 360 posts to facilitate the opening of 287 new special classes. The latter will provide more than 1,700 new places and 140 new special school places in 2022.

Senators of all parties and none will appreciate how much these additional resources are needed. Like other Senators, since the beginning of the pandemic I have spoken about the particularly damaging impact that lockdown has had on children and their families. The parents of children attending these schools and classes have told me about the regression that lockdown caused - and continues to cause in some instances - for children and the incredible strain it has put on their families. While lockdowns involving the closure of schools are hopefully a thing of the past, the families of these children have spoken passionately about the need for greater resources in schools and classrooms.

Having spoken to the Minister of Education about the matter on a number of occasions, I know she is very aware of the issue and was determined to ensure that additional resources were allocated in budget 2022 in order that these children and their families will have greater resources in the years ahead. I commend her on ensuring that such resources were allocated. I would be grateful of the Leader of the House would invite the Minister for Education to Seanad Éireann in the coming weeks in order that we may have the opportunity to discuss this and other matters in more detail.