Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have only to add to what the Deputy said. This is directed towards Mr. Kenny. I do not want a reply, but what came across very clearly today from one of the witnesses was that when it comes to State examinations, pressure is already on the family, the student and parents. They then have to go through this. I have personal experience of this from a political point of view, like Deputy Hourigan. People should not have to go to their local TDs for us to make representations. I will be departing this Chair and retiring from politics but, for the next committee, I have asked the clerk to do some piece of work on visually impaired people and the State Examinations Commission. There is something missing there. It is a real common-sense thing. I genuinely say that.

Years ago, somebody was either deaf or blind. Now we have people with so many forms of disability. The Department cannot help everybody, but a blind or visually impaired person doing a State examination should be treated a little differently. I know it could be said that somebody with autism should then get time because he or she is not as fast as somebody else or whatever. However, I genuinely say that the committee is getting very short in its time. This could be one thing that we could sort out. The witnesses would be very happy if officials engaged with the State Examinations Commission, as Deputy Hourigan said, because they are at their wits' end. They are just tired of the constant backwards and forwards. That is what I got from them today. We spoke with somebody with real experience. I am not sure whether this person has a son or daughter, but one of the witnesses has a child who has gone through this. Something should be done on that. In the committee's short time, I am not sure we will be able to do something. We could be here for the next three months; I am not sure. It is what it is.

Do members have any further questions?