Mr. John Kearney:

I commend the Chairman on how he conducted and led a very inspiring and thoughtful discussion this morning. In particular, I acknowledge the role he played in Granard, which is close to home for me. I remember the proactive leadership provided by the school. That was at whole-school level. I also acknowledge the Chairman's role at the board-of-management level. It is a whole-school approach, with the board of management taking stock and providing school leadership and ultimately the entire extended teaching staff of the school itself becoming involved.

We will certainly progress matters in Athlone. We are progressing a number of opportunities there in terms of addressing the issues to which you alluded. We very much concur with the expansion and roll-out of the summer programme. We have taken on board the contributions of various members on the summer programme in terms of further contributions to it.

There has been significant delivery of special class placements, this year and in previous years, in consultation and collaboration with many schools. As part of our deliberations last week, we met and consulted with all school management bodies. They very much want to deliver the same thing. They have logistical concerns in terms of adequate planning and resources being put in place to address the challenges they are taking on. Unfortunately, at times there will be situations where the degree of collaboration will not be at the level we would all like. In those situations, a sharp rebuttal process is needed. I hope we will be looking at that today in considerations in other channels, and the truncating of the section 37A process in terms of the enhancement of the section 67 avenue as well, with a view to delivering sharper inputs in terms of special class delivery.

On behalf of the NCSE, I thank all the Oireachtas Members present. It has been a very engaging conversation. Those involved in special education are passionate and enthusiastic. Special education brings out the best in us in terms of what we ultimately want to deliver for this country. We have made great strides in recent decades and years. We have much more to do, as has been highlighted and earmarked today. I wish the committee the very best of luck in its deliberations. This is a very active and vibrant committee, and it is timely in terms of the future development and delivery of special education in this country. I commend the committee on its work and how proceedings were conducted this morning.