Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have several points I want to touch on briefly. Ms Buckley hit the nail on the head when she mentioned that the main criteria concerned teacher training. I have a background in education also and believe it is vital that when a child enters school, the teacher, first and foremost, should know how to meet his or her specific needs. I have raised this issue on several occasions. I hope that the additional year for teacher training will help. I have constantly asked for additional training in the area of special needs.

Everyone comes across the issue of ongoing assessment. One is told constantly that one's child, having received an assessment at the age of three, might not have another until the age of 18. They are put into a box and that is it. Have the delegates any suggestions on how we might make progress in this regard? I have advocated that assessments be compulsory at every critical stage in a child's life, including the point of reaching the teenage years.

How will the legislation proposed last week to address cherry-picking in regard to admission to schools affect children with special needs, including Down's syndrome, who are entering secondary school or a school that may not have the resources to meet their needs? It is hoped the legislation will alleviate the problem.

My next question is for Ms Grant. I believe the parents group submitted further information on the research to the Minister, Deputy Quinn, in the past week. Could she fill us in on that information and on how we can move on? I have a million other questions.