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

I will sit closer to the microphone. From what I hear, there have been signal issues all day.

Some really good work is being done by schools and teachers. I want to focus specifically on resource hours, SNAs and assessments. Do the witnesses feel enough has been done to date by the Department and Minister to ensure that additional resource hours and SNAs are provided? I do not know if they are aware of a survey that was carried out by AsIAm, the autism charity. It surveyed 1,100 parents, 77% of whom said their children who are getting additional support would need even more support. Half of the parents surveyed felt they would not get it. That shows the experience of parents of children with additional needs. They have to fight for absolutely everything and it is sad that they think their children will not get the additional supports they need. I would like to hear the opinions of the witnesses in that regard and what more can be done in the context of resource hours, SNAs and assessments. There have been major delays in assessments, which will have a knock-on effect on children getting into ASD classes.