Special Educational Needs
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-11
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Fiona O'Loughlin (FF), Administrative Panel

I acknowledge that the NCSE allocation and review process are important to ensure SNAs are provided where they are most needed. I also acknowledge that the number of SNAs in County Kildare has increased to 989 this year. That is significant, along with the 74% increase in the number of special classes in Kildare from 2021 to today. That is all really important. However, it does not take away from the cut that the Patrician Catholic Secondary School has been told to expect. I know that the Minister of State's vision, along with mine, is to deliver an education system that is of the highest quality where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported to reach their full potential. Unfortunately, the children, family and school community do not feel valued in the Patrician Catholic Secondary School in Newbridge.
I appreciate the Minister of State's interest in this matter. I hope that I can work with him and the Department in whatever way I can to help restore these positions. The school will be making that appeal to the NCSE.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-02-11/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:37+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-11