Special school and SOP assessment
Deputy O'Sullivan welcomed new special education provision in Cork and asked what would happen to the HSE’s SOP assessment after a court decision. The Minister said the Cork announcement was welcome and would ask Education for a direct update.
This morning we woke up to good news in Cork; that a new special school is to be temporarily established in Rochestown and that the school sites in St. Killian’s Special School, Mayfield and Carrigaline Community Special School will be extended. This is great news for special education provision in Cork in the Minister’s constituency and in my constituency, respectively. In light of the decision two weeks ago on the standard operating procedure, SOP, assessment being undertaken by the HSE, can the Minister tell me what the Government is likely to do in terms of the validity of the SOP assessment of education rules?
Comment on this
That is welcome news for Cork. Dublin was part of that announcement as well. I acknowledge the Deputy’s work and advocacy in respect of special needs provision in schools in the Cork area over a prolonged period. I note the recent court decision on the SOP and I will ask the Minister for Education to revert to the Deputy directly with a specific update on that.