Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To respond to Deputy Ó Cuív, next week we will bring the Criminal Justice (Mutual Recognition of Decisions on Supervision Measures) Bill 2019 back before the House. I will revert to the Deputy in respect of the publication of the mutual recognition of custodial sentences Bill.

I agree with Deputy Haughey's points about the need for greater provision for intervention teams in the areas of both education and health. I favour greater recruitment of speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists in schools. I am of the view that we should expand that programme significantly over the lifetime of the Government and there is a commitment in the programme for Government in respect of the matter.

As to the other point raised by Deputies Haughey and Andrews, all children with special needs should have the appropriate school placements provided for them in September.

The previous Dáil agreed legislation between all parties to give greater power to the Minister if the National Council for Special Education, NCSE, requests that a direction be taken. That is not exactly an ideal mechanism in the way it has been drafted. It seems to me we need stronger advocacy for the child within the system. It is something I will work on with the respective Ministers to make this a real priority in terms of the needs of children with special needs and their families.

See this speech in context