I am glad the Minister and Minister of State are here. The latest figures in County Laois for the number of children with special needs and disabilities under the age of 14 is 2,302. All of us have a responsibility to ensure they get the best possible education. New classes have been announced for Laois, which is well and good and I welcome that. However, we also need physical space in schools. In St. Francis School in Portlaoise, demand continues to far outstrip the availability of classrooms. The Department has washed its hands of Saplings, as has the Department of justice. It is regarded as a private matter even though it is a public school. It has a roll number and teachers paid for by the Minister's Department, but apparently the Department has no role in the school. I will come back to that on another day. Our Lady's Meadow in Durrow is getting two new ASD units, which is excellent, but it needs three. I urge that one of the prefabs that are in a good condition is left in place. I have raised with the Minister and departmental officials the issue of Mountrath boys' national school, which is badly in need of an extension to incorporate ASD classrooms, sensory rooms, etc. The numbers waiting at primary and second level in all counties are not published every year so that we can see them, and I cannot for the life of me figure out why. This information could be used to ascertain the level of need and the classroom space available, but this never happens. Why not? On SNAs, the Government's definition was too narrow, which it has accepted. That is good. It is okay to accept that. The Government must now work with SNAs to ensure that the policy encompasses the full range of duties and responsibilities SNAs take on. It is important that the role of the SNA is properly fulfilled. I urge the Minister to ensure this consultation is done properly and to give SNAs their proper place in our schools.

Sentiment score: 0.24