Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I welcome all of our guests this morning. They probably had an early start coming from Limerick. I thank the Cathaoirleach for flagging Corpus Christi in Moyross.

I have received so much information that I have very few questions. I have a friend who works with the Early Focus group, Una Curran, who has given me a lot of background information over the years in general terms. I am based in County Meath. I say that to try to mirror what has been said.

Based on the information and answers given already, I will poke the bear a little bit. Where specifically within the Department and the NCSE do the obstacles exist? Do the witnesses collaborate with neighbouring schools? The collaboration with colleges of further education and training and UL is obviously beneficial. Is that something the witnesses would like to see mainstreamed so that students would have placements within schools?

Where would the witnesses start with assistive technology for schools that are on the journey trying to help themselves in advance of any departmental assistance? What would a simple template for a starting point for schools look like? I do not want to cover questions colleagues may ask.

In terms of the family support piece, how important are the counselling and advocacy supports that some can provide, and others cannot? Some schools might not even be aware of the opportunities that exist.

If there was not philanthropic support in Limerick in particular, what would be the overall cost? How would it be prioritised if, God forbid, the philanthropic supports were to disappear? What would the impact be?