Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No, that is perfect. In case time runs out and I do not get the opportunity to do so at the end, I wish to acknowledge the vast body of work of this committee. It has only been up and running for a number of months but has been very helpful to the Department. We have a shared objective and agenda, that is, to enhance the experience of education for children and young people with autism. From my point of view and on behalf of the officials, it has been a positive engagement and we have benefited considerably from what the committee has brought to the table.

While I am not saying going for outside providers is the ideal model - we would like to think our schools would be in a position to provide - I recognise there may be extenuating circumstances in a school doing so. We will learn a great deal from what is being progressed this year. We will have templates of good practice for how to do it going forward. I hear what the Cathaoirleach is saying about student teachers having an opportunity to participate in the summer programme. It is my vision that within the next ten years, we will ensure they will have had a placement in a special education setting. To be clear, we have a very good uptake of student teachers on the summer programme. The uptake has been really good. If I were a young teacher, I would think it was an ideal setting. I am very familiar with young teachers who are doing so. Whether it is SNAs, therapists or others, it is a very positive experience for them. Making it mandatory could be difficult. At any given time, there are approximately 3,000 people in teacher training. It might be difficult but when we get to full provision, there may be an opportunity to look at it.

I acknowledge the great asset Middletown is to us. As the Cathaoirleach has said, it is a joint venture. We are looking at a new enhanced delivery from Middletown in 2024. It is my understanding that Middletown does not work in the areas of SNAs at present. That is why I referenced the SNA workforce development unit and the work we are doing with it in seven different regions. Middletown has worked with more than 7,000 parents and teachers on our behalf, with regard to supports provided. However, we are very much still working with Middletown to see what the opportunities are going forward to enhance that work. It is an ongoing job. I also acknowledge the work of many of our staff who are upskilling, whether it is in terms of postgraduate studies in special education, or specifically in the area of arts and special education. These are postgraduate studies fully funded by the Department.

With regard to technology, we are currently reviewing the assistive technology scheme to make it more streamlined for applicants and, more importantly, needs based. That is the most important aspect. We have seen a considerable uplift in funding. There has been a 60% increase, with an additional €2 million provided to technology in our schools, on the back of €100 million already provided. We are working on that area, but a review is important, to make it needs-focused going forward.