Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I was here earlier but had to leave to speak in the Chamber, for which I apologise. I thank all of our guests for coming and for their opening statements. A number of my questions have already been asked. The issue of the assessment of needs was dealt with earlier and the issue of recruitment and retention was dealt with by a number of speakers. I ask our guests to talk some more about therapies in schools. I recall that therapies were available in special schools a number of years ago but they were withdrawn. Now the policy seems to have changed again. What was the thinking behind that? I obviously believe that the new situation is the better one. We actually opposed the withdrawal of the therapies from schools previously. What was the background to that?

On a daily basis, when we deal with families who are caring for somebody with an additional need, one of the main things they say to us is that they have to fight for everything. I believe that to be true, as do most people. Is there some way that families can be helped in that situation? Is there a one-stop-shop that can be set up or is there one in place already? Is there some practical intervention that can be made on behalf of parents who are absolutely frustrated on a daily basis?