On behalf of my colleague, Deputy O’Hara, I wish to ask about the measures being taken to ensure that schools in County Galway have appropriate special education training, SET, and special needs assistant, SNA, allocations.

Sentiment score: 0.87

We all welcome the increase in the numbers of SETs and SNAs, but I must say that the Minister of State's response does not reflect the reality. There is a massive unmet need. There is need for greater allocation. Worse than that, we have seen a pattern in recent years, and particularly in the last couple of years, of resources being taken from schools and different application of the same criteria as they apply to significant care. Children who had the necessary support of SNAs are now seeing it withdrawn, or there is at least the threat of that happening. That is the lived reality. It is worse to go to review and even worse to go to appeal. I ask the Minister of State to listen to any teacher or school community. It is a very serious concern. What is the Minister of State going to do about it?

Sentiment score: -0.01

Warm words will not cut it. The reality is that on a daily basis, children who need the support of an SNA do not have it. Also on a daily basis, schools are faced with the reality of a cut or the threat of a cut to their SNA allocation. The children absolutely need those SNAs. The Minister of State's words do not reflect what schools are dealing with and what we, as public representatives, are hearing. When representatives of Fórsa and the Department were before the committee, an indication was given that there would be some reflection of the expanded role of SNAs in the new workforce development plan. I took that as a positive. Everything in the meantime has been completely negative. Will that be the case with the workforce development plan? When will we see it?

Sentiment score: -0.00

On behalf of Deputy Byrne, I ask about the way in which children with additional needs in Drogheda without a school place will be accommodated for the upcoming school year. On behalf of Deputy Byrne, I raise the specific case of Alfie, an eight-year-old boy from Drogheda. His mum, Lorraine, expressly asked that his case be raised. He is one of a number of children in mainstream school with a recommendation for a special school or class place but who do not have a letter of eligibility from the NCSE. What advice can the Minister give for young Alfie?

Sentiment score: 0.05