Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael)
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Whenever it is used making announcements in the media from the Department, I think it is not a unit, it is another classroom. That has to change. It should be looked on as just another classroom within the school. It is important that the Department would change that. I agree we need to set a standard across all schools with special classes. I do not think we have one at the minute. In a lot of cases, to be honest, it depends on how the principal runs the school. We do not have a template across all schools. I am aware it is being looked at but it is something we need to implement. There should be a certain model or template for special classes in a school. I flagged it myself at a meeting here before. We should go that route. We have blue flags, green flags, a lot of flags. We should have an inclusion flag. We should set a standard. Middletown Centre for Autism has a template for programmes in schools. We should challenge our school system to set up a programme and fly that inclusive flag. Unfortunately a lot of it is principal-led. Not all principals think the same way. If we set the template and the criteria, they would have to be implemented.

On third level, a lot of the funding programmes such as PATH 4 are specific for infrastructure changes. We need to give more funding for staff and support. I was in a number of colleges where they put in quiet rooms and sensory rooms throughout the buildings but the funding seems to be specifically for a project like that more so than funding to help the administration of the project and administrative support for the students. That is where I think extra funding needs to be put in place. I am sorry for cutting back in.