Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not have details on the guide dogs issue, but I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the relevant Minister and ask that she be furnished with a report.

While education is not my Department, I know from working on the ground that there is a strong argument for speech therapists working within the school system. I will relate the Deputy's worthwhile suggestion to the Minister, Deputy Quinn, who will be receptive to it. The policy advice will be delivered in spring 2015 and will draw upon findings gathered from an extensive consultation process that has commenced. I urge everyone to make submissions to that process. The Deputy's experience as a former teacher should be fed into the report. The Minister would encourage all interested parties, including the Deputy, to contribute to the consultation process. He expects that the National Council for Special Education's final report will reflect the broadest possible range of views and, importantly, provide recommendations that will assist in the development of policies for years to come. We await that report, but I will relate the other two issues to the Minister.

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