Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am encouraged by what I am hearing, in particular in respect of assistive technology. There are some dangers with an over-reliance on assistive technology and sometimes people lose sight of that. That is the last thing we want in dealing with a child who uses assistive technology. We cannot be over-reliant on it. We must to try to develop the child's potential in reading and writing as much as possible while understanding that there is a need to complement some educational aspects of a child's development with assistive technology. I agree completely and I am pleased to see this question on the agenda for today. I am pleased to see that we are going to look at real-life experiences. In theory, assistive technology sounds great but there are also drawbacks and they need to be acknowledged.

I am encouraged because Mr. Stack has an open mind on the transition of resources. One of my bugbears at the moment arises when a student transitions from primary to post-primary education. If a student has the use of a laptop, the laptop does not transition with him or her. The laptop itself becomes obsolete because it has been used for so long by the student in question. We cannot simply recycle it or give it to another student. I see no reason these laptops cannot transition. If there is a cost involved, that is well and good. I imagine parents would be more than willing to purchase them if they were in a position to do so. It is like anything in the sense that the laptop becomes part of the learning and thinking of the student. It is a tool for revising and looking back to see where they have progressed.

The use of online applications for assistive technology is something schools need to consider. There are many online applications, for example, Reading Eggs, that can have a significant positive impact on children's education. This does not apply only to children with special educational needs. The way we teach is changing because technology is changing. I am glad to hear that we are open to looking at the role of assistive technology and transitioning resources. As Mr. Stack said that at the end of the day, we are dealing with children. It is a question of what is best for them. We should start from that point and consider how much it will cost and the resources that need to be put in place. They represent a separate issue. However, if we have what is best for children as the primary object, then we are doing well.

Continuing professional development is critical but not only for special educational needs. I imagine teachers recognise as much themselves. When it comes to children with special educational needs, we have to get to a point where continuing professional development incorporates well-being, relationships and how teachers interact with students. It cannot simply be about upskilling academically. It has to be about upskilling their social skills and social interactions with students. This is a major challenge because every teacher is different and every child is different. An element of this must be included and we must have an interrelationship between student and teacher, not only at an academic level but at the basic social interaction level as well.