This morning I met with Inclusion Ireland specifically to discuss the review of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs, EPSEN, Act to deliver a better, more inclusive model for children with additional educational needs. That is happening with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, in the Department of Education. Could I confirm with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform whether his Department is linked in with that review at this stage, to really try to deliver the resources and reform that are necessary over the next five to ten years to deliver a genuinely different, inclusive education model for children with additional educational needs?

I thank Deputy Carroll MacNeill. What I can confirm is we as a Government, in the course of the Estimates process for the previous two budgets, have significantly increased the level of resources for special education services across our education system, as is right and proper, including further increases in the number of special needs assistants, SNAs, much-needed increases in the number of special school places and additional supports within mainstream schools.

I will examine the specific issues the Deputy has raised and discuss the matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan.