The change in SNA allocations has caused a great deal of concern and distress among school communities local to me. Aghabullogue was due to lose half of its SNAs. Bweeng was to lose one of its three. Scoil Barra and Boherbue parents also highlighted concerns. There is also a knock-on impact, in particular on schoolchildren. The pausing of the new plan yesterday is welcome and gives reliefs to many school communities, but it has not completely resolved the concerns. Killmurry, for example, which had been unable to get a new SNA despite a growing need, is stuck. Schools which were in fear of losing an SNA and are appealing are concerned that their appeals may not be successful. What is the pathway for parents and school communities from now on? When will parents and school communities who are unsure and concerned know that their children will have the necessary number of SNAs?

I acknowledge the concerns raised in respect of the schools Deputy identified regarding the outcome of the review of their schools and those that perhaps did not get the additional SNAs that they sought and so forth. The Ministers will engage with the NCSE in the context of those schools where it was indicated that there would be a reduction. We want to clarify this issue as quickly as we can. There will be a time lag because we paused the process in order to provide opportunities to re-engage on the issue, and for the Ministers, in particular, to engage with the NCSE and come back to the Government with a resolution framework for this.

As the Taoiseach is aware, first responders play a critical role in our emergency services, but approximately one year ago a decision was made to prevent the officer group from taking the officer response vehicle to their place of residence. In December, I witnessed first hand a medical emergency on Main Street, Gorey. The ambulance and first responders were called. The first responders arrived in their own cars and were first on the scene. They did everything possible to assist the victim. Later that day, I went to their base to thank them and was shocked to see the officer response vehicle parked up in a corner. The vehicle could have provided vital medical assistance to first responders, but for the officer to drive to from their residence to collect the vehicle would have delayed the response, especially on a busy Saturday. I have no doubt that situations like this have been replicated the length and breadth of Ireland. This is having a detrimental impact on the ability of these highly skilled professionals to respond to accidents within the quickest possible time frame and with the best equipment to hand.

I agree with the Deputy. There was an internal review by the National Ambulance Service in 2024. It apparently identified potential benefit-in-kind tax liabilities for NAS staff using NAS response vehicles to travel to and from work and the HSE sought a ruling from the Revenue Commissioners on the matter. In the interim, it took the decision to inform staff that there could be an issue, which has led to the result of the Deputy outlined. I am informed that the Revenue Commissioners responded to the HSE with a potential way forward to address the benefit-in-kind tax liability issue. I understand engagement has been ongoing between the HSE and Revenue Commissioners on the matter. In light of the Revenue Commissioners' ruling, a process involving the drafting and agreement of revised policies has been ongoing within the HSE, involving negotiations with the recognised unions. I understand the process is ongoing. The HSE is obliged to comply with Revenue Commissioners' regulations regarding what is a potential personal use of publicly owned vehicles.

I have just received this information. People need to have a bit of common sense and pragmatism. I will speak to the Minister for Finance to see if a regulation needs to be changed so that the speed of first responders-----

A letter from 21 school principals in Donegal has been sent to the Minister for Education and Youth and the Minister of State with responsibility for special needs education. They express their profound concern regarding the reality of special educational needs provision in our schools, in particular the operation of the SNA allocation model. I ask the Taoiseach to request a copy of the letter - I can send him one. It clearly demonstrates the failings of the system, which have been revealed by this review and has caused huge anguish and distress for parents. I have spoken to other schools outside of the 21 on the list. The Taoiseach needs to hear what is happening on the ground. The system is not working. The Government does not need to take a pause; the Government needs to stop the approach it is taking, talk to teachers and parents on the ground and change what is happening.

We will proceed with the increase in the number of SNAs for the school year commencing September 2026. We have budgeted for additional numbers and that will not stop. We will continue to increase the number of SNAs. Our concern will always be to prioritise the needs of parents and children to enable their full participation in school. Special needs assistants are a key part of that.