Ms Fidelma Brady:

I agree with Ms McCafferty on her statement that we do not want to lose sight of the fact that we need high-quality teaching. I have been a teacher for many years and I cannot teach without planning. Planning informs my teaching and informs me day to day what it is I have to do.

I agree with what everyone has said here today. I love the nil-nil imagery. It is excellent. It would be regrettable if we left here today without feeling that we had moved forward in any shape or form. I agree that the Minister needs to be here to meet with us and discuss the matters with the committee.

I wish to make a comparison about how Down Syndrome Ireland feels about this. Allowing a student to struggle academically or socially when all that is needed for success are appropriate accommodation and explicit instruction is no different from failing to provide a ramp for a person with a wheelchair. Down Syndrome Ireland feels very strongly about this. We take very seriously the issues our parents raise.

There are two things that angered us to a degree, which were the two directives before Christmas. I am now aware they were advice but at the time in the media and in the public domain they were identified as directives issued by the teacher unions. We were very distressed about these. Reference was made to this already, but a reply to a parliamentary question, No. 95 on 6 March 2019, reads: "The Circulars note that educational planning is an essential element of a whole-school approach to meeting pupils’ needs." Two lines later the reply goes on to read: "All schools are therefore encouraged to use Education Plans". Where is the tie between "essential" and "encouraged"? We should not have to "encourage" anybody to do something that is essential. To ensure the essential needs are met, I go back again to the need for training, resources and time. I should hope that this meeting will provide an impetus and be a starting point for moving forward with this as we all work together.

I agree with Mr. Kelly that it is regrettable about the seats on the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. I too was not invited to sit on the NCSE this year through its latest appointments. It must be Mr. Kelly and me.