Ms Nuala Ward:

We cannot underestimate the importance of the inter-agency approach of these regional teams. That joined-up thinking will benefit children. The involvement of the NCSE is critically important because some of these children are very young. Their needs will only gradually emerge over the next few years from teachers and parents. It is very important the NCSE is in there at an early stage to support schools and to give them resources they need through special needs assistants, SNAs, or whatever other means. By having them there at an early stage, it is to be hoped we will try to get ahead of the problem, which is a critical theme we all see from today's discussion.