Special Educational Needs
Seanad Éireann — 2026-02-11
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Michael Moynihan (FF), Cork North-West

Yes, the vision is very clear. It is about the best outcomes for the students. We must keep that in mind. We have additional SNAs put into the system. We got additional SNAs in this year's budget and that number has continued to grow over the last number of years. We have 25,000 SNAs in the system. The review looked at all the information we had to try to make the best possible decisions for the students and the best possible decisions to maximise the care where there is a need within school communities. For a variety of reasons, it is important that the school appeal the decision and put its best foot forward in that regard.
Senator O'Loughlin and I have worked together very carefully over many years since she came into the Oireachtas and even before that. She has a fantastic grasp and understanding of education. We will certainly work together to try to get the best possible outcomes. She will appreciate that I cannot give any cast iron guarantees. There is a process there that needs to be done. We will work on that process. I have no difficulty working with Senator O'Loughlin on this or any other issue.

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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