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

Yes, a therapy-based service is being worked on. At our meeting, we gave the green light for that and asked the Department of Education to prepare to, we hope, commence it this September, if we can get the Estimates right and so on. It was not provided for in the previous budget because the pilot scheme had been initiated under the auspices of the Departments of Health and children, but that has not worked out. Therefore, I think we are going full on with a school-based therapy service, for special schools in the first instance.

Deputy Coppinger raised the referendum and a special school, Danu. She said a new building that is required was expected by September 2024. I will follow that up and come back to the Deputy.

Deputy Conway-Walsh raised the issue of a scoliosis patient. It seems, from what she suggested, that an opinion has been given but the patient's parents are seeking a second opinion. Will the Deputy give the details of the case to me? Obviously there should not be an issue with the family being facilitated with a second opinion. In complex cases, consultants may have different perspectives and a child or a family can benefit from a second opinion. If the Deputy sends the details of the case to me, we will follow up on it.

Further questions related to access to schools and so forth. Deputy Bacik spoke on that issue.

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