Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)

I welcome the Minister's commitment to legislate in line with the Children First guidelines. The Children First guidelines refer also to neglect by omission, for example the lack of intellectual stimulation, children missing school and the deprivation of intellectual stimulation as a result of that and how that might affect their later development. What role does the Minister see herself having in implementing Children First guidelines? The sentiment of legislation in this area may be admirable but how will the Minister apply this to cuts and caps on special needs assistants, the lack of which I know for certain in many cases means that some children will have support for only one hour's schooling a day? How will she ensure these children's rights are vindicated in terms of the proper provision of the supports necessary for them to attend school?

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