Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome what the Minister stated in terms of the progress report.

The Minister may be aware, from his colleague, the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, that there is a reconfiguration of services being undertaken by the HSE which is impacting on the provision of services, particularly to special schools. I wonder what type of communication is taking place between the Minister, Deputy Quinn, and the Minister, Deputy Reilly's Department because there is a crossover in terms of the provision of resources, particularly to special schools.

In my county, there is a great deal of concern around the proposed reconfiguration of services. We have seen what happened in Limerick when those services were reconfigured where it put incredible strain and stress on the provision of services in special schools. Can the Minister give us some indication of the type of dialogue which is happening between both Departments?

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