A considerable number of Members are here to deal with issues that relate specifically to education. As Deputy O'Rourke said, unfortunately we keep having to bring up these issues about finding appropriate places for children, be that in mainstream or in special classes and schools. We really need to not be trying to deal with issues like this on the floor of the Dáil but sometimes we have no choice in the matter. This week, people were particularly exasperated about the reality of cuts to special needs assistant, SNA, numbers. We all know the huge work that is done by SNAs. I know even on a personal basis that my son Turlough would not be able to operate if it was not for the SNAs he has had in both primary and secondary school. It is more than a pause we need; we need a rethink on the criteria. That should be a demand from everybody on this floor not only in opposition but even in government. While we welcome the pause, we need to see real movement. When we are talking about appropriate accommodation and spaces, it is a question of where to start. I am going to deal with a number of schools. I will deal with St. Mochta's NS in Louth village. The Cathaoirleach Gníomhach also received correspondence on this. Unfortunately, I have had significant correspondence over and back with the Department. It finished with: "Your email states that you endeavour to "ensure that schools infrastructure planning is keeping pace with demographic changes at a local level, where the picture can quickly evolve due to new large scale residential development." The school said that its situation has "evolved very quickly due to a new large scale residential development" but this was flagged last year and the enrolment has increased by 40 children in the past year due to construction in the area. A new development of 58 houses is nearing completion in Louth village but, again, the correspondence from the school states: It is highly likely that we will once again reach developing school status, leaving us then with 3 extra classes and teachers, with no accommodation for them. • Our SET teachers currently work in corridors, cupboards and staff room (which in no way is fit for purpose). • Our school building, originally built for 5 classes, is expected to house currently 8 classes, and come September it will most likely be 9 classes. That is before I go near what the parents are sending in. The Minister of State can imagine that because I read some of it into the record previously. I spoke to the Minister of State previously about additional autism classes for Shelagh National School. He came back to say there was interaction with the school, but I am sorry to say that we have not seen any real movement. The school principal is not happy in any way, shape or form, nor are a considerable number of parents who have contacted me. It is not the first time that other elected representatives and I have brought up the issue of Monksland National School. Again, plans went in for a permanent extension in 2023 comprising two autism classrooms, one support room, one common area, a kitchen, a living skills room, toilets, a storeroom and an office. It was provided with two modular units, which are being used to their full capacity. We are dealing with teachers and SNAs who are having their lunch either in storage units or their cars. That just tells us what is happening. The school is making the most use of what it has, but it is not enough. I visited the school. We need to see action in this regard. The over and back from the Department is disgraceful.

Sentiment score: 0.01

With regard to Ardee Educate Together, I met the design team and Louth County Council alongside the principal. In fairness, we were told there is a proposal. I accept that it is late in the game. The building project is fabulous, as I know, having visited the site. We really need to get this issue sorted or it will be chaos on the morning of the opening of the school. There are a number of autism classes. We need to ensure that the children can arrive without a level of chaos. I ask the Minister of State to follow up so we can ensure that the communication on how those proposals are going happens straightaway. It frightens me when I hear the term “under assessment”. I accept the Minister of State's point that some of these are technically new applications. However, some of that is after a considerable number of years of over and back between principals and the Department. The Minister of State can see the pile of papers in front of me. It is correspondence between the Department and these schools. There is absolute frustration among the schools. The communication from Monksland National School to the Department reads, "Do you think it is appropriate that staff do not have a staff room to have their break and lunch?" That is the reality at the minute. Talk of assessments and demographics is not going to help that. It continues: Do you think it is appropriate that pupils cannot access physical education and that their engagement with it is entirely weather dependent? Do you think it is fair and dignified that pupils are taught in corridors because we do not have enough special education teaching rooms to house our SET teachers? A communication from the school in Louth village states that its special education teachers are teaching in a cupboard, the staff room and the corridor due to lack of space. As the school hall is out of bounds, children with additional needs are missing out on vital movement and regulation breaks. We cannot be constantly dealing with these issues. We need to find a better way. I ask that there is better communication, and also that I be made aware of that communication. In the nicest way I can put it, the communication the schools have had has been subpar.

Sentiment score: 0.13

They are not happy.

Sentiment score: -0.46