Ms Catherine Cox:

The Deputy asked about respite care. We need a national audit of what respite beds there are and what provisions there are, and then to consider the gaps. We do not have that information. We have been calling on the HSE to conduct such an audit for 20 years. Until we get that, we cannot plan and do not know our future needs. We are also calling for a register to which family carers can sign up to say they need a certain amount of respite. They would insert the age and condition of the child or person for whom they are caring. That would allow for future planning. I read the Sinn Féin motion, which we welcome, in particular in respect of respite.

I will return to the issue of housing. Another issue that keeps coming up is housing adaptation grants and the fact that the maximum available is €30,000. Most families who price a full adaptation, including a downstairs bathroom, are given an estimate of €60,000. Families cannot afford to put up the outstanding amount. While they might be on waiting lists, they will not be able to afford to go ahead with an adaptation. That is another issue.

In terms of support in schools, that is about the needs of individual children. Many families want their children to go to mainstream schools, which potentially means giving up a place in a special school. By doing that, they also lose out on the supports they should get in mainstream schools. Ms Duffy talked about inclusivity. The family carer who was to be before the committee today was going to speak about how she would choose a mainstream school for her child but has not seen inclusivity. There are examples of, for example, children being excluded from the school play because they do not have what the school sees as the skills to be involved. Inclusivity involves the need for cultural change so that all children are welcome and included. That is important. Ms Duffy may wish to add to what I have said.