I welcome the Government's record investment in special education, which now stands at €3 billion, up 58% since 2020. The additional SNAs coming into our schools and the extra capacity is making a real and positive difference for many children and their families. However, over the last few days the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, has proposed significant cuts in some schools, like Our Lady of Good Counsel Boys National School in Johnstown in my constituency. The school has been notified of a reduction in its SNAs from nine to 3.83 - a cut of over 57% in a school with 387 kids, including 55 with identified additional care needs. The school has outlined the potential impact on pupil safety, medical supports and inclusive provision. There is an appeal process currently under way, but there is real anxiety in the school community, as the Taoiseach can imagine. The redeployment arrangements for affected SNAs have yet to be fully understood or set out. Will the Taoiseach engage with the Minister for Education to clarify the current status of the NCSE's decision to ensure allocations fully reflect the real care needs of those pupils, provide clarity and ensure no school suffers inappropriate cuts?

Sentiment score: 0.41