Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile phones or switch them to flight mode as they interfere with the sound system, make it difficult for parliamentary reporters to report and could adversely affect website streaming. I welcome the witnesses. The purpose of this part of the meeting is to discuss with a number of stakeholders the adequacy of training and supports available to providers of special needs education and education in DEIS schools. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. Anne Ryan, senior lecturer in education, and Dr. Gene Mehigan, principal lecturer in education, Marino Institute of Education. I welcome Ms Breda Corr from the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education, who is a regular visitor to our committee meetings. I also welcome Ms Noreen Duggan, principal of Scoil na Naomh Uilig in Newbridge, County Kildare, who has a lot of experience in dealing with inclusive education in the best possible way and is a good example of best practice on the ground. Our other witnesses include Ms Pauline Dempsey, principal of St. Anne's Special School in the Curragh in County Kildare. I thought it would be a good opportunity for community members to hear about the inclusive project between KARE and Scoil na Naomh Uilig. Ms Duggan and Ms Dempsey work quite closely together in respect of their students. Other witnesses include Ms Teresa Griffin, CEO, and Ms Madeline Hickey, director of the special education support services under the National Council for Special Education; Professor Áine Hyland, emeritus professor of education at University College Cork and a former lecturer of mine in Carysfort many years ago; and Ms Deirbhile Nic Craith, director of education and research at the Irish National Teachers Organisation. They are all very welcome.

I draw the attention of witnesses to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statements the witnesses have provided to the committee may be published on the committee's website after this meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

We have a number of parents in the Visitors Gallery from Scoil na Naomh Uilig who have children with special needs within the system. They are facing an uncertain future for their children, who are at this point almost ready to leave the primary school system and for whom there are no places at second level at this stage. That is certainly a gap within the system which we need to identify. We need to make recommendations to the Minister and the Department in this regard. I welcome all the parents.

We will invite all our witnesses to make a statement of about three minutes. After the opening statements, members will have the opportunity to ask questions or make comments. I invite Dr. Anne Ryan from the Marino Institute of Education to make her opening remarks.