Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. That is how it should be.

Vis-à-visthe Deputy's question on access to special classes and special school places, I will discuss it with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. As the Deputy conceded, it is primarily under her remit. The nature and level of the education response in terms of special classes is based on the professionally assessed needs of each child. In terms of a special school, all children have to have a professional recommendation that says that they have complex or severe learning needs that require the support of a special school setting and the reasons for that being the case. In terms of a special class and early intervention, a diagnosis is required in order to ensure that the right supports are given to those with the greatest levels of need. The Department's policy is to try to get children into mainstream education if at all possible, but if they need special school classes or places, they will require diagnoses. The Disability Act provides for the assessment of the health and educational needs of persons with disabilities, which falls within the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. The HSE makes an assessment through an assessment officer or another of its employees. An assessment officer prepares an assessment report and states in it whether there is a disability, the extent of that disability and a statement of health-led needs.

I appreciate there are waiting periods and I know the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is working really hard to reduce those and has done in certain cases. I will let her know about the Deputy's contribution and certainly pass on the comments to her.