Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I wanted to ask about two things. The Minister of State mentioned equality and the particular pinch points when transitioning from one school to another. There is a further such point when children are coming to the end of junior school. I am getting a lot of children now where school principals are saying they cannot meet the children's needs and they are going to have to find something else for fifth and sixth class. There needs to be additional support in the schools, especially at that point.

The second point is on the special schools and Ballyowen Meadows Special School in particular. I have raised this with the National Council for Special Education, NCSE. It is not clear where equipment for occupational therapy is supposed to come from. The HSE requires them to apply to the Department of Education, which then says that is not a matter for it, so it has fallen between the gaps. There needs to be some engagement with the NCSE on exactly where that is. The committee visited Ballyowen Meadows Special School. There is a fantastic occupational therapy room that needs more equipment. Moreover, as there also is nobody to work in it at present, it is not that much use, though it is a great room. We cannot even get clarity on where to get funding for additional equipment. If the Minister of State could follow that up with the NCSE it would be helpful, or just provide clarity from the HSE.