Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

That is the point. Parents and groups we meet talk about alternative respite or different facilities.

The State has invested significantly over a long number of years in many facilities and it pains me to see those facilities not being used even at the weekends or during the summer holidays. We must be very innovative about how we move forward with those facilities. If we are going to build as inclusive a model as possible, the first thing we need to do is use every piece of built infrastructure at our disposal because we have seen deficits in different areas where there is no built infrastructure or development. Where there are developments and facilities, we should be looking at models for how to use them as alternative respite on Saturdays and Sundays and through the summer holiday period. This body of work needs to be done not just by the Department but across the disability area and the HSE. We are constantly looking for more money to build more facilities. We have buildings in place and we should be using them to the maximum extent possible. If you travel to some facilities and find they are closed for two or three months of the year, that simply is not right. This is something I will work on. There has been a significant increase with regard to special schools, in that in the past three years, 85% of special schools have opened for summer provision. July provision is a huge lifeline and has a very good social aspect for students who participate in it because many of the activities are outside school and involve travelling and different days of fun and activity. We have to make sure that every special school is participating in it. Regarding our trips around the country listening to special schools about legitimate challenges they have regarding summer provision, we must recognise that and build a system that will work.