Mr. Andrew Geary:

As I said on the "Late Late Show" just over two years ago, I wanted an open door for every child. The two roles have been opened for every deaf child in the country. That was my aim and that is what has been achieved. I cannot take the credit for that. It goes to many deaf education experts from across the world with whom I have engaged. I have made it my business to get to know them and bring affidavits together from them. I have utilised numerous pieces of legislation. I am very grateful to Senator Mark Daly for his assistance. I assisted in a small way in the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. It is vital that we look at the word "resource". We are looking at that word in the wrong way. In the dictionary, "resource" is not something that one does not utilise, rather it is something that is utilised. In time, when this role is fully established, I hope that 80 to 100 children similar to Calum, whose educational needs must be met through proficient sign language, will then have access through these two new roles.