Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Nowhere else in the section on the functions of the agency is there a reference to educational welfare. The only other point with regard to subsection (4)(d) concerns the education of persons with special educational needs. Including a reference to educational welfare vis-à-vis the functions of the agency would in no way suggest it was its sole responsibility. Nobody for one moment would believe this would be the case; we have a Department of Education and Skills which has primary responsibility for it. In this instance, the Bill states the agency shall support and promote. This most certainly should be part of its functions. If it is not to be accepted now, in the fullness of time it will be viewed by the new board as something which should certainly have been reflected on at this point. It would be better to do it now rather than perhaps being compelled to do it later.