Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy's call for us to shine a light on the cognitive assessment area and the assessment of need. I assure him that a debate is taking place. The latest reports that I have had from the HSE and the Department of Health is that internal discussions are taking place and there should be a cohesive response in the next few weeks. Some parents and professionals have made me aware of the issues raised by the Deputy. I will check if anything has happened in the past day or two that I have not been told about and I will forward a more detailed response to the Deputy. I assure him that we are trying to resolve the issue. I accept that one cannot have confusion about cognitive assessments or similar issues while children suffer.

On the education issue, the Deputy can criticise us and accuse us of not doing enough. I take his point on resources but I know how important resources are and that they have a major impact. Let us compare what happens now with what happened in primary school education 20 years ago. Recently, 1,000 new special needs assistants, SNAs, were appointed, which helps children with disabilities who attend school. In addition, 100 new resource teachers have been recruited, which helps children with disabilities to attend primary school. All of that proves that the situation has improved. Twenty years ago children with a disability were not provided with supports in primary school except for a little remedial teaching.

Now we have resource hours and SNAs. We have come a long way.

I will come back to the Deputy with a more detailed response on the cognitive assessment issue.