Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As I have five minutes, I will do this in two parts if that is okay. First, I will address Inclusion Ireland. It seems to me, and the previous survey presented to the committee demonstrated this, that children with special educational needs and intellectual disabilities were among those who suffered most due to the schools being closed, despite the best efforts of everyone. From talking to parents and children, it seems the lack of access to schools during the lockdown was extremely difficult. It is vitally important that these categories of children are prioritised. Very often, these children have not been a priority for the Department of Education and Skills. If ever there was a time for children with special educational needs to be a priority, it is now.

The roadmap presents some significant difficulties. The first point that occurs to me concerns children who are in units.

There is a lack of clear guidance from the NCSE and the Department on a number of issues, including face coverings, but also units. In some instances, principals are asking children and families to choose between the unit and the mainstream class. Being in the unit reduces the value of the inclusion and integration with the main class unit. If they are to go into the mainstream class, it to some extent undermines the argument for the unit. That should not be the case because access to both is needed.

I have another question for Inclusion Ireland. Deputies are hearing concern from constituents over school transport. There are issues with school transport for students with special educational needs. Very often there is a lack of access to taxis. It that on Inclusion Ireland's radar?