Ms Geraldine Moran:

The Deputy has made a number of really important points. NEPS psychologists operate in schools. There is no reason there could not be NEPS OTs and SLTs working within the school system and joined up for consultations with the local CDNTs. At the moment, the CDNTs are trying to fill the gaps in all areas. There could be MDT members working in the school set up under NEPS. It is lovely to hear the story about the OT coming in privately for three days and then only needing two days. That was upskilled. My question would be: what will happen next year when that teacher goes on maternity leave or decides to travel? Have they to go back and start again?

I mentioned the fundamental upskilling of teachers. It is a really intensive programme to train a teacher. We are not saying special needs can be incorporated into that, even though a very small component of their training is special education even though they will not work in that area. That needs to be examined to bring teachers to a level where year-on-year they do not have to go back and be retrained to take on that work. They should be operating at that level where they can then link with the CDNT. That would be really important.