Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

I agree with all the sentiments expressed. Over the years, various agencies have been created but they have not always improved efficiency. The issue is whether the Departments of Education and Science and Health and Children do their jobs properly. The Minister has introduced some good reforms and has made transparent the systems within the Department of Education and Science catering for various requirements. However, we have ongoing problems. For example, we are still unable to find out from the Department whether appropriate facilities will be in place in a Galway school this autumn to cater for four children with special needs. This happens all the time.

I do not agree with the method Senator Ulick Burke has suggested concerning the establishment of another centralised body with responsibility for co-ordination. The Bill sets required time limits for certain actions to be undertaken, so if the legislation is implemented appropriately in the Department we should be able to deliver the services to which Senator Burke referred. There is a great need for co-ordination, especially from the moment a diagnosis is made — whether that is in hospital when a disabled child is born or later on when autism or ADHD is identified. It then becomes clear that the child has special needs and parents must contemplate a range of issues they never considered before. We need to make that journey easier, both for parents and schools.

Given the responsibilities the Bill will place on school principals, we should give them the necessary support structures to carry out normal school business in addition to taking on those additional duties. It is a challenge for the Department to provide resources for special needs assistants and resource teachers, as well as helping teachers and principals to deal with their additional responsibilities arising from the legislation.