I support the motion, particularly its call to establish a time-bound school building task force with a mandate to ensure priority delivery of special schools, and indeed, special classes. As a former school principal and teacher with a masters degree in inclusive and special education, I fully recognise, and I have seen first hand, the invaluable and indispensable role that SNAs play in our schools throughout this State, particularly in preparing children in enabling them to access mainstream education, supporting them to thrive alongside their peers and dealing with their care needs and well-being. It is absolutely invaluable. Our SNAs are vital in our mainstream primary schools. They deserve to be respected and recognised for the great work they do. I acknowledge that Ireland has built one of the most dedicated SNA schemes in the European Union. We are supporting over 23,000 SNAs in the current school year. However, the fact remains that demand continues to outpace supply. The rising diagnosis of autism, ADHD and complex needs have placed unprecedented pressure on the system. We also see that in the massive numbers struggling to access the children's disability network teams. I see that first hand in my constituency of Offaly. It has been a problem for years. It is unfair that parents have to fight all the time and battle for vital access to basic services. The recent NCSE allocation review, although paused, and the additional €19 million in funding, exposed the limitations of an outdated care needs criteria. Schools and families across Offaly and beyond experienced real anxiety at that time.

Sentiment score: 0.17