Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending the meeting today. First, I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, with regard to the occupational therapists. There was a pause in that area and it was withdrawn. This service is very important so I commend her on that. Families and children with special educational needs suffered most during the pandemic. The rug was pulled from under them time and again. I met families who wondered what else would happen to them or what else they would have to fight for. Unnecessary stress and anxiety were put on these families and the children really lost out. Last month, the Ombudsman for Children said: "Children with disabilities are not seen - they are overlooked in laws, policies and programmes. Children with disabilities are not heard - they are not actively or effectively involved in consultations." I would like a response to that. He continued:

Children with disabilities are not counted - they are relatively invisible in data. Looking at the delays and the barriers facing children with disabilities, it is clear that they are always at a huge disadvantage. ... It is high time that children with disabilities and their families stop having to battle to overcome barriers. Our laws and policies must serve all of our children and allow them all to access the best education possible.

As has been said, the provision of services is currently unfair and varies depending on a child's disability, age, where the child goes to school or where the child lives. I welcome that we all appear to agree that this has to change urgently. Families in Carlow should be able to access the same support as families in Donegal.

On the issue of staffing, Dr. Morgan spoke about funding. When we discuss funding it is important that we get the breakdown of the funding in all the areas. My area is community healthcare organisation, CHO 5. How many professionals have left the system? Are we struggling with recruitment? What steps are being taken to recruit - the witness spoke about recruitment - and also to retain staff in this area? We need more clarification on that because we must do all we can to make life easier for these families and children.

This brings me to my next point, which is full inclusion. All students in New Brunswick in Canada are educated together in their local schools. Every child, able and disabled, students with complex needs, talented students, thriving students and disadvantaged students all study together. They are all learning together, living the same experience with their own tailored experience. In 2019, the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, spoke about this idea to fully include all students. It suggested examining this model. Since that suggestion in late 2019, we have had the coronavirus and we have lost ground, but is this a model that we will consider piloting? Is there any hope we might examine such a pilot scheme? It is important that we work with everyone. The witness spoke about the 91 networks, which are very welcome. We all have to work together, but it is also important that we see the results. Families and children have been so affected by this, so perhaps the witnesses can respond to my points.