Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I welcome the witnesses. I commend them on the outstanding contribution that they are making to society in support of all of those children we are talking about today in terms to access to education. Somebody mentioned the right to thrive. What the witnesses have done is compelling.

It almost feels like a bit of burden to have to listen to the woes and deficits there are that should not be there. I know we have a growing population and Mr. Clerkin stated in his submission that 5% of the population of children had autism. Therein lies not a massive problem, but a real demand for greater response.

I am anxious to understand something. Given the ongoing challenges that parents face during the transition - Ms O'Connor may have mentioned these - of children with additional needs from primary to post-primary education, will the witnesses outline what specific measures or supports their organisations believe are most urgently needed to ensure continuity of care, inclusion and effective communication between schools and families? At times, people feel that there is a vacuum, and that is causing a problem.