Ms Caroline Walker-Strong:

Alternative therapies in the classrooms were mentioned. What we are hearing from our members from a social work perspective is that alternative therapies are a great idea. Everybody would welcome the idea that you could bring in equine therapy and have these lovely alternatives. However, when families are really struggling with their day-to-day managing of a child with a special need who is perhaps on a reduced timetable and cannot access respite care, if you were to suggest bringing a horse in and having equine therapy, the families would welcome something but they would question it and say what they really need is a night of respite, assistance in the day-to-day and more help. They may have three other children at home and have to manage the child who has just travelled an hour and a half on the bus to school and an hour and a half back. The child is completely emotionally deregulated in the evenings and the parents are trying to manage GAA, ballet and swimming for the other children in the family. The idea of alternative therapies is great and would certainly be welcome, but let us fix the things that are already an issue. Let us get that sorted as well. Not instead of - alongside would be great.