Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his contribution and his proposal. We are keeping the conversation line open on early intervention classes, and there will be more detail on same on Friday. I agree with his point about the transition from preschool to primary. We are engaging on it and will provide more clarity on Friday.

He raised a range of issues concerning needs and schools knowing what the score was. No one more than I wants to get that information out there as quickly as possible, but the guidelines will be out on Friday. Parents can register and schools that are interested will be able to let the Department know.

The Deputy asked who was responsible. The Department of Education and Skills is responsible because we signed a cheque for €16 million last year. My Department is responsible for the continuation of this specific summer programme and the expanded July programme, but the Department of Health is involved where complex medical needs students are concerned and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is involved in terms of school completion. There is a wide interaction between a number of Departments.

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