Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understood this issue would be one of the key priorities in the programme for Government and it is disappointing to say the least that from what I hear from the Minister it is unlikely to happen within the lifetime of this Government. The SNA is an important aspect of the individual educational plan but it appears that a fragmented approach is being taken to many other areas, and that is not entirely within the Minister's own remit. For example, sometimes children will require speech and language therapy. I am dealing with a school where the Health Service Executive has refused to provide the service within the school, which is a special school, and the children have to be marched down to the health board.

Other ancillary issues arise. For example, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has provided the early child care preschool year but the children who find it the most difficult to take up that year are those who require an SNA or other supports. A fragmented approach is being taken. Is there a linkage between the HSE and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs regarding those aspects? Are there any prospects of at least pulling them together under one centralised system?

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