Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a question around special educational needs organisers, SENOs. A person could get a private assessment by someone who is well qualified and which cost parents a lot of money only for the SENO to completely rubbish that private assessment despite that SENO having no qualification. Most SENOs do not have the qualification but maybe some do, I am open to being corrected on that. I have no doubt but that parents have contacted Deputies across the House as public representatives on this issue. I have experienced this on numerous occasions but parents should not have to come to me as a public representative. It shows the kind of system we have. This is a part of our educational system that has totally let us down.

Deputy O'Sullivan talked about the fantastic education system Ireland has and I take that point. Ireland has a fantastic education system and we should be proud of it. Two weeks ago, this committee went on a study trip to Scotland. Its system has totally broken down right across the board and it needs fixed from the ground up. Ireland does not need that; people have fantastic opportunities of which they can avail in Ireland, class sizes are becoming smaller and we are making strides in all of this. However, this is an area that requires a huge amount of work and investment. It needs investment right across the board, from the building unit to the transport system. I wish to hear the views of the witnesses on the specific point around SENOs, the decision-making process and the autonomy they have.