Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to discuss special educational needs organisers, SENOs. I do not want to tar everyone with the same brush but the organisation wields way too much power. It is in the realm of education, in which it plays a major function, but it also delves into the realms of occupational therapy and educational psychology. The organisation is empowered to interpret large volumes of assessment paperwork but it can strike out elements with devastating effects thus denying a child access to key enablers such as educational supports, occupational therapy supports or assistive technology. The parents are absolutely infuriated at times and there needs to be standardisation across the board. The issue comes down to a very moral and possibly legal argument that I cannot go into a person's realm and challenge him or her about a report if I am not equally, if not more, qualified yet the organisation does so. An educational psychologist will have spent between four and six years studying for a degree and his or her Master's qualification yet his or her report can be torn asunder by someone who is not equally qualified. I am not being snobbish when I say that and there is a legal point to be made. I could not disregard an assessment by a plumber, mechanic, doctor or an accountant because I am not qualified in any of those disciplines yet a SENO can dissect everything in a report that has been submitted by a school and an educated psychologist or occupational therapist thus denying a child key supports that would enable him or her to live a more structured life in education. I know that these functions overlap with another Department. The Minister of State is a good ambassador and champion for those who have disabilities and I hope that this is an issue she will take on during this term in government.