Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That leads me to my second question. On Tuesday, the committee discussed the early years childcare sector which is reopening on Monday. We all accept that there will be challenges, difficulties and teething problems for everybody reopening at the moment. Given that other sectors are reopening, there is a way to provide the July provision to all children with additional needs rather than to just limit it. Do the witnesses think it could realistically be extended? What are the barriers? Even before Covid I heard that a lot of schools did not want to sign up for the scheme. I know it is not possible to say for definite what the reasons are for that, but do the witnesses have opinions on it or even anecdotal evidence? Does the scheme present difficulties for schools? I have heard that if a school volunteers to do it, staff do not get paid until November and there are difficulties in that regard. Is there a way to make the scheme more accessible and easier? Do the witnesses believe it can be done this summer? That would be the one clear way to indicate that there is concern about children with additional needs and that they are as important as everybody else. There is no point in the Minister or the Department saying they empathise and that they know it is difficult for parents and children. The only way to address the issue is through action. This could be one way of doing that and showing the Government is serious about it. I would welcome the views of the witnesses in that regard.