Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, for his response. I am still somewhat confused. I also have to point out that the allocations to the schools were issued at 11 p.m. on the Friday of a bank holiday weekend, which is simply not good enough.In terms of the number of SET posts in line with each school's profile of need, if two children with complex needs apply for a place in a school next September, how is that borne in mind in the context of this model? I appreciate that reviews need to happen and that we need to streamline and make the process better for everybody. Managing this process, particularly the cluster process that is there, is difficult. We need a student-first approach. It is sometimes difficult to be a member of a Government party talking about some of the policies that are in place but I will always put children and their families first. We need to put the needs of the students at the heart of things. To be honest, I still believe, despite what the Minister of State has said and the response he has been given by the Minister's office, that we need more clarity. I appreciate that the Minister of State will bring this matter to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Foley, and I ask him also to bring it to the attention of the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan.