This is an important debate in that it focuses attention on those within our school system who need additional support. We need to acknowledge the very significant progress that has been made in the increase in the number of SNAs from 16,000 in 2020 to where it will be over 25,000 this year. I also want to talk about the 16 new special schools that have been created since 2020, which are incredibly important, including one in Gorey, County Wexford. I know both the Minister and the Minister of State have visited it. It is already under pressure for space. I welcome in particular the fact that therapy-based services are now available in all those schools. Critical to this debate is that the focus has to be on the child and their family and on providing those supports. It cannot just be about the allocation of SNAs to schools; it has to be about the necessary support for the children specifically concerned. I share colleagues' concerns about the National Council for Special Education. I think it failed in how it engaged on this issue with schools, and from a communications point of view it was a disaster. I also want to express concern about the fact that in north Wexford we have been left without a SENO for some time. This is a concern. SENOs are incredibly important in terms of being able to liaise with schools. As part of the review of the role of the SNA, we need to look at the role of the SENO in terms of the support they can give to the individual learner within the school system. The fact that we are now focusing on this issue is critical as we go on. It needs to continue to be remembered that the child has to be at the centre of this discussion.

Sentiment score: 0.19