Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

One of the reasons for the allocation of SNAs is to assist children to achieve independence. Where a child develops to such an extent that he or she no longer needs that support, that is something to be celebrated. There is a downside for the SNA, however, in that their role with regard to that child becomes redundant. That reality is, however, part and parcel of the work life of SNAs. Therefore, do the Opposition Members believe that this significant level of State investment should not achieve one of its main aims? The content of the motion proposed by the party opposite would lead one to believe, depressingly, that the answer to these questions is "Yes".

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