Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The answers have clarified what page we should all be on and shown that, while it seemed as if there were differences, we are all agreed that we need to provide resources, planning, teachers and teacher time to achieve the rights of children with a variety of disabilities, including Down's syndrome, in our schools. Ms Brady placed importance on the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act is also relevant but, as has been said, elements of that legislation have still not been implemented. The ratification of the UN convention has placed this issue in a rights based context. From the point of view of the committee's report, we need to focus on how we put in place the resources, time, etc., that are required in order for children to vindicate that right. It is about funding, teacher time, initial teacher training and education and continuous professional development for teachers in the system.

Most of my questions are for Mr. Ward or anybody else who has information on quantifying what resources are available. It has been said that some of the planning happens in the schools but I agree with other members who say that, for teachers to do that, they need time to plan. Is there any assessment on the actual resources required in terms of extra planning hours for teachers, training hours and the funding for all of this? Such an assessment will be required if we are to implement this properly.

It is obviously correct to say that significant resources have been put into special education since 2011 but we are in a new place now in the sense that we have the new model and the UN convention has been ratified. We also have a recovering economy and should be able to put the necessary resources in place.

I want to ask more about July provision because it has not received as much attention as the individual education plan. It is really important for young people to have the opportunity to access July provision where it would be helpful to them. Access is highly restricted at the moment, however. Mr. Ward told us that a review is under way and would be concluded in the coming months. Could he give an idea as to when he expects recommendations to be forthcoming? The benefits of July provision are evident from anybody who accesses it. It gives continuity through the summer months that is particularly needed for children with learning difficulties of one kind or another. I would like to see progress on that. Has there been an assessment on the kinds of resources that would be needed in terms of funding, training and teachers? There is, or was, a list of people who give July provision. Is that still the case? Is there a shortage of teachers for July provision? It is not a scheme that many people know about but it is extremely beneficial to many children. I would not like to think we have put very little focus on July provision today because it is an important scheme.