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

I am shocked by the statistic presented by Ms Keane, showing that only 27% of people were able to say that the educational welfare officer was aware that a child was on a reduced timetable. The educational welfare officer should certainly be involved. The report into Tusla was a recommendation from Ms Byrne and I believe we will hear from Tusla later. There may be exceptional cases, as Ms Hanahoe and Mr. Harris suggested, where a child may not be able to cope with a full day but consultation with parents is crucial. The Education (Parent and Student Charter) Bill 2016 is coming forward and this issue could be relevant to that. Data are completely lacking and it does not seem that anything is required to be reported. We need data as well as consultation with parents and we need the rights-based approach which Deputy Byrne proposed.

Does the experience of the witnesses suggest that there is an uneven application in respect of this issue? Do they believe it is a hidden issue? I am delighted that we have decided to explore it - we need to make strong recommendations. Do witnesses agree that parents should have an absolute right to be consulted and that data need to be returned? Do we need to ensure that this is not used in an inappropriate way and without consultation with parents, as seems to be happening? It appears to unduly affect children in certain categories, such as those in lower socio-economic groups, Travellers and children with disabilities. This issue is not in the public arena but it should be. As such, we are doing important work.