Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. The questions from our members today are based on information the committee has received from various witnesses who have appeared before us over the past two years. The summer provision is one thing and I note with interest the Minister's commitment to it. It is vitally important that it is out there strongly and that every plan is put in place for next summer.

On SNAs and the part that they play in the entire school community, particularly special schools and schools with special classes, the whole group puts together so much work and dedication. As a society we cannot underestimate or undervalue the commitment that is being given at school level in terms of what they are doing. In some instances, an allocation of SNAs is made and then the school authorities look at it and say they need more help and resources. I know that there is a process to appeal it to the National Council for Special Education but it is something that needs to be looked at to ensure the method of appeal is not cumbersome. I certainly have come across situations where they have had to go to the nth degree and eventually they get it. The Department will say that a huge number of SNAs are being appointed overall but there may be something that should be looked at in that regard.

On school transport, the Minister is meeting the Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in the morning to discuss school transport issues specifically. I have a question on school transport for people with additional needs. Sometimes families or the school authorities may not have ticked the right box when the application was put in as to whether they want a transport grant or a taxi. Sometimes the taxi does not work out. People could go for a taxi but then have to revert because of complex needs or because of a number of issues. There should be a bit of flexibility and some kind of cooling-off period or trial period that would give the option to either go A or B after a period of two, three or four weeks or whatever is deemed appropriate. That has to be done. There is no question or doubt but that a huge amount of work has been done in mainstreaming special education and in ensuring special classes. There are very difficult, complex cases that continuously come to the committee's attention. While the Department and everybody are trying to do the greater good, there should be accommodation when challenges are encountered.

I compliment the Minister on her recent visit to the excellent Holy Family Special School in Charleville. She visited a number of schools but that school was the highlight of the day, as were the issues we dealt with. I compliment her specifically on that as we talked about special education.

I ask the Minister to address the issues of the appeal mechanism for special needs assistants and the need for a little flexibility on transport for children with additional needs. On the overall issue of transport, where there are priorities at present, people with additional needs should get concessionary tickets, if they are available or if there is a lottery for them. There is a mechanism for that. Again, the situation is ever evolving and new information is coming on a daily basis, from society and the Department. Special education will have to keep evolving to meet the needs as we go forward. The Minister has alluded to that in a number of her contributions. I thank the Minister and ask her to address those few questions.