Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I move amendment No. 66:

In page 10, line 3, after "potential" to insert "and a statement of the necessary resources required to provide those services".

We will return to the significant issue of resources, which is central to this legislation, when we discuss the proposed amendments to section 12 of the Bill. The resources that are required should be provided for in legislation in some way. The right to an assessment and an appeals procedure will not be of any use to children with disabilities if their schools have not been given the resources needed to meet their educational requirements. This issue arises in the context of the proposed disability Bill and other discussions on rights-based legislation.

Parents know that the assessment will be of no great use to them if they have not been given an assurance that resources will follow it to meet the needs that have been clearly stated to be required by the child. This amendment and my amendments to section 12 attempt to build into the legislation a clear indication of the resources that are required and an obligation that they be supplied. I am aware that the obligation to supply resources is not the subject of this section, but it is the central issue for most people who have a child with a disability. They do not want to have to continue to fight, along with other parents whose children have disabilities, to get what their children need.

If we state in each child's assessment details of the resources needed by him or her, clear information about the resources required by each school will be available. Such a system would be a strong lever in the process of attempting to ensure that the necessary resources are supplied to schools by the Department of Education and Science, through the public purse. Disabilities groups are fighting strongly for rights-based legislation, as opposed to resource-based legislation, because they are concerned that parents will be told that although the right to an assessment exists, resources are not available to cover all the needs. They are worried that parents will be told that their children have to be placed on a waiting list and that they might get speech therapy or one-to-one help with dyslexia in two or three years' time. Disabilities groups do not want parents to be told, "We are very sorry, but there are other priorities and other children in front of your children in the queue". It is essential that such a focus is placed on the resources that are required. As a nation, we should commit ourselves to resourcing the needs of children and adults with disabilities.

I realise that I am straying into a wide area, but this is the crux of the matter as far as most people are concerned. If we clearly indicate that considerable resources are required, I believe that people will be willing to ensure that there is enough money in the public purse to meet that need. People need to be assured that their moneys will go to that particular area. I have outlined that the resource aspect of the matter is crucial. I believe strongly in rights-based legislation because if one has a right, one inevitably attracts the resources that are needed. I have proposed amendment No. 66 to ensure that we publish a statement of the resources required to provide services to each child who is assessed.

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