Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The valid points the Deputy made will be relayed to the Minister for Education and Skills. I will reflect on them also. I am not in the Department but I am a teacher and I understand the importance of the July provision and its delivery. There are different methodologies in respect of it. Some of it is school based and some is not school based. The Minister will take his policy direction from the National Council for Special Education in terms of trying to formulate a decision. When he reflects on it and has had the discussions with the Down Syndrome Ireland group, which are important, it will provide him with an opportunity, in conjunction with his dialogue with the NCSE, to be in a better position to make a decision on how to move forward. The Deputy's points are well made. They are not unique to any particular constituency. We all deal with parents of children with special needs and intellectual disabilities. I know that teachers are dealing with them also. They are challenging. These are special children for a special reason. Until now, the July provision has been a very good scheme but the Deputy is asking that it be improved upon rather than changed. I will reflect his views to the Minister for Education and Skills and ask him to respond directly to the Deputy.

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