Mr. Tiernan O'Neill:

The HAPPEE initiative is an example of joining up the dots in an innovative way. For a relatively small investment, you get big outcomes. The school of allied health in the University of Limerick is aligned with the local children's disability network team - funding was secured through the regeneration programme - and six of the most disadvantaged schools in the country, which are screaming for supports for children with additional needs. You align all of that and you get fabulous outcomes for children. From a university perspective, they are looking for clinical placements for their trainee speech and language therapists and occupational therapists so it also works from a pragmatic perspective. It gives them real-life experience of going into schools and engaging with parents. It even futureproofs therapeutic services and supports because it creates very well-rounded speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists, teacher capacity is built and children get the necessary supports.