Ms Breda Corr:

I will address some of the points Deputy Daly raised. It is always the practice of NABMSE to consult with its members but due to the short timeframe we had to prepare, we consulted with our committee which is made up of representatives of boards of management in different types of schools. That is important. The time of year is not conducive to trying to consult with our member schools. On the cost issue, I would much prefer to see €700,000, or whatever the cost of the Ombudsman for Children, going into training boards of management. Members of the committee are not aware the budget has been cut by the Department in previous years. The Department will not thank me for saying it but it is the reality.

Education for children with special educational needs can involve more than just education. If we are to have one ombudsman, it would be better if it was somebody who could deal with various aspects of special educational needs.

Senator Maria Byrne gave the example of an appeal to the board of management. It would require resources in any school if something was to be done. The Senator talked about behaviour. There are huge costs involved but it is something we would love to see.

Senator Gallagher talked about boards of management. It can be extremely difficult to get parents involved in boards of management in special schools where it is not their local area. The Senator is familiar with the special school in Cavan-Monaghan where students come from Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan. If a parent has a child with severe and profound special educational needs, who will mind the child when the parent is at the board meeting? We value the parents we have. We need to get away from the phrase "parents' representatives" because they are parents' nominees. They are nominees to a board and they do not represent a particular sector. They need to act as a body corporate. It is really important.

If we put pupils on the boards of management, for example in the Holy Family School in Cootehill, which the Senator is familiar with, how will their voices be heard on the board of management?