Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 24 January 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism

Autism Policy: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Joe FlahertyJoe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Lovely. I will focus on Ms McDonagh's suggestions regarding investing in mainstream schools. She is correct that we have to move away from the concept of special schools. We need integration. That model is working particularly well. I can see resistance to it from a certain category of schools' teachers and management. However, at the same time, we have to concede that €1 in every €4 spent on education is being spent on special education. We probably need to get better value for our money and invest more. There is an opportunity with regard to summer provision, which we have mentioned a number of times in this committee. I would welcome Ms McDonagh's views on it. It is challenging to get staff for summer provision at the moment. With regard to the people coming through third level, I have told the Department that we should challenge third level students to put their hands up for that this year. Does Ms McDonagh believe there is an opportunity in that space?