Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I welcome the association and I thank the deputation for their in-depth presentation, which I will read through in due course. One major issue is that of classroom assistants. We are fighting to keep up SNA hours, but the introduction of classroom assistants may mean that decisions on keeping SNAs in place are put on the long finger. Will the association outline its view on the role of the classroom assistant? Will it take from the work of the SNAs or will it simply help the teachers?

Many children with autism are having major difficulties being accepted as autistic for the purpose of the domiciliary care allowance and in getting the assistance they need in school.

There are many different grades of autism and it is difficult for them to access the services. I have met parents who are frustrated with the system. They say they have been in a constant battle with it since their child went to school. I know of a parent of a child who needed an eye-activated instrument. She fought to get this instrument for her child but the Department refused to approve it. This was the child's only means of communication with the outside world. Eventually, we fought and we obtained it from the HSE. This is not a satisfactory situation. The Ombudsman ruled on a similar case and decided that the Department of Education and Skills was obliged to provide this instrument but we were unable to procure it from the Department. I wonder if other parents are finding it difficult to access the services and to obtain the equipment which their children require.

I note a reference in the submission to parents living in rural Ireland and it seems they have been hit hard with regard to school transport in particular. It can be a simple thing such as whether a child is able to mount the steps of a bus. This is where even one escort on the bus would be of assistance to them. Children with extreme disabilities have bus escorts but many children with a mild disability would still find it a challenge to use a bus without the assistance of a bus escort. Should this area be examined in detail?