Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Leas-Chathaoirleach and the Minister of State.

The opening of new schools and new classes is always welcome and I welcome the new special school in Monaghan. It is badly needed. There was only one school between Cavan and Monaghan. It was definitely needed, although I urge the Minister of State to ensure that school is established in a suitable premises and not one that was deemed unsuitable for students some years ago.

There is a lot more work to be done because, as the Minister of State said, we know demand is increasing. If the Government and the NCSE know that demand is increasing, there should be plans in place to ensure that there are sufficient school places for all students as they transition from preschool to primary school and then from primary school into secondary school, but that is not happening at present.

As regards SENOs, there are not enough of them. They are overworked. We need more SENOs. When I was teaching, the SENO assigned to my school knew every student who attended the school and their families and was in regular contact with them about where they should be going to school and what their needs were.That is not the case now. A lot of families do not even know who the SENO is for their area. That needs to be addressed as well.