It has been reported this week that a survey of primary school principals has revealed they have no faith in the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. Some of the reported concerns include that the vast majority of schools have pupils with additional educational needs who are awaiting diagnosis due to the chronic waiting lists. Over one third of schools had periods when they had no special educational needs organiser, SENO, to assess special needs.

Some 55% of the schools surveyed stated that the additional needs educational profile does not meet the needs of the pupils. The list goes on and on. The Department of Education will say it is investing additional resources but that is not the reality on the ground. In my area in south Tipperary, we have not had a SENO for months. The position is vacant. Why is it, like the last Deputy from the south east said, that we are being neglected all the time? It is just another failure by the Government. Children with additional needs need these supports and they need them early. They need a timely diagnosis and access to help.

The new CEO in the National Council for Special Education and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, provided over €13 million to expand the staff up to about 160.

Cá bhfuil an t-airgead?

They are on their way. There is €2.6 billion being spent on special education, which is a further 10% increase over last year's budget. We have over 20,000 special needs assistants, SNAs, in the system, with additional special needs teachers and so forth. There is very extensive provision in special education. I do not think that can be argued with. We have had new special schools this year. I have been to a lot of schools where a lot of provision has been made.

They are not my comments. They are the comments of the school principals.