The Bill also requires schools to reflect this in their admission policy and statement. The Senator can take it that the NCSE is not going to contact or approach a school in circumstances where it is not of the view that it does not have sufficient capacity to open a special class. This is a two-step process and I am correct in what I have said, which the Senator repeated, about co-operation not being 100% binding because it is not. These are additional provisions and functions to comply. If the school does not com…

I think I am just going to be repeating statements I have made to the Senator already.

On the specific question in respect of the board, I have already responded to the Senator. I have------

I have already answered that. I stated earlier to the Senator that I am not proposing that a patron should have to dissolve a board only in circumstances where it does not comply with the section 37A order. Other than that, there is no need to do it. I also reiterate that co-operation, by its very nature, is not 100% binding. We are adding new functions to comply. It is important to note the opportunity in the Bill not just to streamline section 37A but also to make the existing legal provisions more child-centred.…

Once again, I am happy to answer it but this is the third time I am answering the Senator's specific question around the dissolution of a board. I will say again to him that I am not proposing that a board be dissolved, only in circumstances that it does not comply with a section 37A direction. That is my view.

That is the question and that is my response to it. What else did the Senator ask me?

I have given the Senator my reasons we are not linking it in. That is to allow the co-operation. Compelling schools and forcing them to a certain extent to open special classes is not something that anybody likes doing or wants to do. We want to have a culture and ethos in a school from the outset whereby it will embrace inclusivity and believe in integration of children with special educational needs. That is why we allow schools the opportunity to co-operate and collaborate but if they do not, then we will issue …

To conclude, from my own perspective there are very few scenarios where a patron has ever considered dissolving a board under the existing obligations. It is not envisaged that patrons would suddenly look to dissolve boards other than where they fail to comply with section 37A.

I thank Senator Warfield for tabling this amendment. As the House will be aware, it relates to the core functions of the NCSE and its staff. As I mentioned to the Senator earlier, when speaking to another amendment he had tabled, perhaps the current review of the EPSEN Act is the appropriate forum in which to look at what the Senator suggests. I stress to him, though, that I am not opposed at all to the idea of the NCSE preparing an annual report on the forward-planning of special classes and special school places.…

What about themselves?

Sinn Féin did not form a government.

My understanding is that I had six minutes speaking time but I will endeavour to fill the eight minutes allocated to me. As Minister of State with responsibility for special education and inclusion I am very grateful to have the opportunity to introduce and talk about this urgent piece of legislation, the Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Bill 2022, in the Seanad and to discuss how it is intended that this legislation will work to support children with special educational n…

I had much writing to do from all of the different contributions. I might just deal with Senator Mullen’s particular issue because it was a kind of a technical matter. I want to thank Senators Seery Kearney, Keogan, O’Loughlin, Pauline O’Reilly, Gavan, Sherlock, Currie, Maria Byrne, Carrigy and Conway for their contributions. I might come to them at the end of my closing statement if I have time and go through the Senators' individual points. I just want to speak to Senator Mullen on his particular issue. As he kno…

Senator Keogan is in the Chair. I thank her for mentioning that issue. It is important. I believe I have addressed Senator Mullen's queries. To respond to Senator O'Loughlin, I will have a look at the case of Kildare Town Community School and revert to her. Senator Pauline O'Reilly mentioned the SNA contract. This is again something we are looking at. To respond to Senator Sherlock, the issue of diagnosis is a big one. I am liaising with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, in that regard. I know she has reduced…

St. Gabriel's is one of the schools under the section 37A process. By virtue of this process, schools are named and these names are published on the Department's website.

The reality is that, even if there is engagement, if the school does not agree to open a special class, the section 37A process kicks in.

That is the reality. I thank Senator Conway for his comments. I will talk to Senator Currie about Danu Community Special School. I have no difficulty in that regard. I will provide any supports or assistance I can to Senator Currie. The same applies to Senator Maria Byrne. I thank the Senators for being here today. I appreciate all of their contributions.

The Department of Education provides supports in terms of transport for individual children. There are grants available. The Department spends €289 million a year transporting more than 120,000 children. Of those, about 15,500 have special educational needs. If there is a specific representation the Deputy wishes to make, I can pass it on to the Minister, Deputy Foley, in the Department.

That is not the case.

May I have an opportunity to speak?