Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I assure the Chair I am much stricter with him in my committee. I will carry on the conversation that we have been having over the past few minutes.

It strikes me that this is very much a chicken and egg situation, where we seem to be going backwards. There are huge waiting lists for assessments of need and places in special schools, and demand to open more classes. That stems from a lack of support or inclusive integrated education not working. Dr. Hartney mentioned the importance of the right roadmap, which starts as young as 13 years of age when parents need to find that step to transition. As a Deputy, people come to my office and tell me their 17-year-old is finishing school next year and ask me for the roadmap. There is an information gap.

There is a lot of stress on parents who have a child in a mainstream school and might have to pick them up earlier. The topic of suspensions was discussed earlier. I understand Senator Byrne raised the issue of some schools shying away from, or trying to shy away from, bringing in students with disabilities. It is unspoken that many parents in Ireland try to bring their child to a Gaelscoil because there may be fewer people with disabilities and less diversity. That is not a dislike of people with disabilities or diversity. Rather, it is a fear of supports. We see that on the ground with teachers.

As has been said, new teachers are sent to special classes. We have a long way to go. I would like to hear more about the Portuguese model. We will receive the presentation the witnesses gave at a conference, but I ask them to speak to teacher training in the Portuguese model. If Portugal does not use the words "special needs" or "special education", is the model of training different at the St. Patrick's and Mary Immaculate level in Portugal?