Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. In the first instance, I take the Deputy's point in terms of language. This report was a report about out-of-school provision which was put in place in late 2017. That is the report we are here to discuss. However, I take the Deputy's point. It is important to note that in the report there is an acknowledgement of the need for the provision of education types, whatever name or title we want to give them, for a particular group of students whose needs are not met in the mainstream education setting. It is very important that acknowledgement exists within this report. That is the first stepping stone forward.

At the end of the day what we want to ensure is that the maximum number of our students feel their needs are being met in education, and I know Deputy Ó Ríordáin would share this view. Where that is not possible in one particular type of education, then we will support their opportunities in the type of education that meets their needs. The provision of a different type of education from mainstream education is acknowledged here. High level recommendations are made here. The recommendations include the need to secure that type of provision for the students and the need to find a starting point, so that we can be clear in terms of how provision of that nature will work, be funded and how there will be consistency across different centres or providers.

On the Cork Life Centre specifically - and I acknowledge the work of the Cork Life Centre and of all the other centres - this report is not specific to any one centre. It looks in the round at all of the types of provision that are made. The Department has provided funding and has worked closely with the Cork Life Centre.

There is a pathway forward or starting point now, where we will look at future potential in terms of funding mechanisms, co-ordination, delivery and types of education and so on. This report is significant because it is a stepping stone in terms of the necessary work which will be undertaken by the working group.