Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I apologise, as I may have to nip out in a little bit.

The common thread is the interconnected framework. How do the witnesses see that playing out? Were they consulted by the NCSE in advance of the change of the enrolment deadline? I appreciate these are probably random questions, so I apologise.

On assistive technology and communicating by whatever means, I first came across spelling to communicate or rapid prompting method, RPM, about three years ago and have spoken with the HSE about the possible trialling of same. Are the witnesses aware of that? Are they aware of any studies that may be available in relation to providing an evidence base for that methodology?

On recruitment and robust retention strategies, that matter is a common theme across the witnesses' different professional roles. How do the witnesses see robust retention apart from pay parity for section 39 workers? Do they have other ideas in relation to retention, for example, a two-to-three-year retention period post graduation before possible emigration for experience?

Respite is an area of particular interest. How much co-ordination and collaboration takes place? The HSE is the common denominator in all of this and now more recently the Department of education, in particular special education. What co-ordination currently takes place and how can that be improved?