Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Senator is absolutely correct that we are all working together to ensure that these children have access to the supports they need. He raised an important question. I reassure him that the NCSE is committed to ensuring that all children can access education suitable to their needs. Special school staffing is reviewed by the NCSE every year. Generally, the number of staff allocated is in excess of the original baseline of the SERC guidelines. Staffing is based on a school's student profile, which the Senator knows, and individual disability category. The Department also recognises that special schools face unique challenges and is committed to ensuring that schools are adequately resourced and supported will. The coming school year will see the introduction of deputy principal posts for all special schools and an additional 100 teaching posts, which will greatly benefit these schools. I reassure the Senator that the Department is doing everything possible in its engagement with the HSE, the Department of children and the Department of Health. We all need to work together to ensure that therapeutic services are available to the children who most need those services.