Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his contribution. He mentioned the new national access plan 2022-2026. He said we will have it towards the end of the summer or so. He mentioned intellectual disabilities.

A clear definition of that is very important. It is something the previous development plan did not define properly. I am hoping we will have it in this one. It is also about how we handle mental health when it comes to education. That brings me to the point we discussed about people saying part-time courses are better because some people with mental health issues do not have the same concentration and would not have the same experience. Looking at that part-time model is probably a better plan. The Minister obviously must then talk to Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, in terms of how that is rolled out and if it can be rolled out.

We did not mention school transport but that comes into this in terms of the Minister having to deal with the Department of Transport etc. We must take into account that many of the people attending these courses or otherwise have to get to them and they have schedules. I do not know what the Minister's interaction has been in that regard.

Apprenticeships is an issue that comes up a lot. I know there have been improvements in general terms for people with disabilities. In terms of apprenticeships, however, I often find that local authorities, for instance, and even the public services, tend to give people with disabilities jobs that are not always suitable. Some of them are very basic jobs. Trying to get people apprenticeships or get them to a higher level in order that they can go for much more meaningful jobs that will suit them is very important. How does the Minister deal with that when it comes to apprenticeships?

In terms of disability resources, especially when it comes to mental health and such, will the Minister tell us how and in what way some of that is directed and what he intends to do? With supports in particular, some people need a bit of help and might need someone to assist them. I do not know whether that person would be with them, but people might need that extra bit of support. Will the Minister tell us how that works?