Ms Lorraine Dempsey:

Another issue that parents raised is that of ancillary supports in schools in respect of therapy. The deficits are well documented in terms of waiting lists for assessments for autism and also for actual intervention. In terms of special classes, the Department of Education and Skills still requires a diagnosis for a child to be enrolled in a special class. Given the huge delays on HSE waiting lists for assessment alone and diagnosis, it is very difficult for parents who feel a special class would be the most appropriate educational environment for their child.

The Department of Health and the Government have failed to invest in children's therapeutic interventions. Over the past two years, there has been zero investment in terms of the HSE service plan to fund additional therapists on HSE teams and disability network teams. Progressing disability services for children and young people aged up to 18 years was touted in 2009 as being the way to go to provide equity of access for therapeutic interventions for pupils regardless of where they lived, what type of disability they had and what school placement they were in. Unfortunately, there has been no investment in additional staff over the past two years. The last network team was established way back in 2014. It is now nine years since this programme was launched. The NCSE has found a significant way to circumvent this funding deficit with the HSE and Department of Health by being awarded €2.25 million for 31 new additional therapies. We welcome this new school-based initiative that we hope will be able to support children in the school setting.

I thank the Deputies and Senators. No doubt other witnesses will have specific directions for the committee that may be at odds with where parents are. Hopefully we will find consensus for the betterment of the education of our children.