Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Chair's work. His nine months of work and dedication put in place a passionate committee that has done much good work. I acknowledge that. I also acknowledge the parents and advocates who came here today and put forward an amazing case about what is needed and what changes are required to ensure we have a system that is fit for purpose. It is obvious it is not fit for purpose. A report is coming on 1 June 2023 which it is to be hoped will be a template for change. Change is required for the services our loved ones need.

I am not being parochial but I compliment Ms O'Mahony's testimony which proved the geographical issue. To think a child might have to travel two hours each way to a special school is absolutely bizarre. It is unheard of in many ways. I have six-year-old twins at home who travel 20 minutes to school and they get onto the couch when they come back because they are exhausted. I do not know how anyone could go two hours on a bus one way and two hours back every day, five days per week. The system needs to change because it not serving anyone. It is not serving the family, the child or society. A line must be included in the report about the geographical need for special schools to be put in place. It does not make sense when I look at our geographical district. A line must state that schools must be allocated not only on population size but on geography. Otherwise we will be failing the entire system. I am sure the Chair and the committee will do a fantastic job of doing that.

It has been a learning curve. It has been a tough morning. I was texting my wife halfway through to tell her she has no idea how lucky we are in many ways given the testimonies we heard this morning. I acknowledge the testimonies and thank the witnesses for their time. Some of them have travelled long distances to give their testimonies and I acknowledge that. I thank the Chair for the opportunity to speak. I realise I am only a guest of the committee. It has been an informative morning.