Laura Harmon (Labour)

I thank all of the witnesses. They have painted a really holistic picture of the experiences of children, students and parents in schools, and those working in the sector. I apologise that I was not here to listen to their opening statements but I have read them. I was attending a prior commitment in relation to workers' rights.

I will direct my first questions to Inclusion Ireland. As an observation from reading its statement, and having looked at its survey from 2024, it is heartbreaking to read some of the statistics. These are statistics but behind them a lot of pain, stress and anxiety for children and parents are being experienced. What is happening is deeply unfair and unjust. We talk about inclusion but it is very clear, in reality, that what is happening in many instances is the opposite of inclusion. It is exclusion. The statistics that 68% reported they struggle with school rules that were never designed for them, that 27% have experienced restraint and that many children feel going to school is like survival are deeply sad. It is deeply saddening to hear that, as it is to hear about the physical symptoms of anxiety that are caused, the emotional avoidance of school and the segregation, in many ways, as well.

How can we move away from disciplinary approaches to education to a more inclusive model of schooling? The figure for disabled children who are thriving in school is just 14%. How can we ensure they reach their full potential?