Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I partially addressed his matter in the previous amendment, but I will take the opportunity to discuss it. I will be brief because I am anxious to move to the next group of amendments.

The Minister may say there is no question of resources not being in place but we hear from schools - maybe more so special schools than special classes but the legislation relates to that - that resources are not being put in place.

The primary issue is typically the availability of therapists. It is not the only issue. Certainly, there are issues with the provision of SNAs in special classes and special schools. However, there are issues with the provision of therapies, in particular. I know that it falls outside the remit of the Department of Education. It may not be the case with motions and so on, but it is not unusual for legislation to refer to different Ministers and to cut across different Departments. It is vitally important and integral to ensuring that these children can reach their full potential that they have access to therapies. Currently, they do not have such access. It is particularly important for children who are in special classes or special schools. As I am sure the Minister and the Minister of State agree, early intervention is essential to ensuring that children are in a position to progress and potentially to move from a special school to a special class, or from a special class into a mainstream class. Without the adequate provision of therapies, that will not happen. What I am asking the Minister for in relation to this report is to ensure that confidence can be given to schools where they are opening a special class, and to ensure that the schools can be encouraged to do so on the basis of that.

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