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

The Deputies asked a number of questions. On the impact of Covid-19, it has been devastating on many families and sectors. Our schools closed for a number of months as a result of Covid-19 and adult disability services also effectively closed in terms of people being able to attend day centres and various other services.

As we know, congregated numbers in indoor settings are problematic in respect of Covid. That said, we have to work to make such services and centres available to adults with intellectual disabilities. I will talk to the Ministers involved and to the service providers to see what the challenges are in enabling the provision of some level of services for those who were affected by this. That is a fair point and it is important to say.

In terms of children and special needs in general, and especially in respect of special education, to respond to Deputy Cronin's point, it is very important that we avoid adversarial approaches. Children, as a right, should have the appropriate school placements available to them and the proper planning in advance should take place. I am working with the Minister for Education and Skills in that regard. In my view, we must introduce a greater degree of advocacy for the child within the system as it operates.

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