Tony Kett (Fianna Fail)

I raised this matter because the age limit is 16 years but for children with a disability there is a transition period between the age of 16 and 18. That comes about in two ways. Many special school programmes now incorporate the junior certificate and many of these children, as we call them, come out of the junior certificate level at 16 years of age into an immediate transitional period where parents are caught up in meetings to try to locate a placement for them, whether that be a skills-based programme or a programme involving some other form of activity. I know from experience that there are many meetings at that time which both mother and father are required to attend.

Another issue is that as handicapped children mature, the age between 16 and 18 can often be a time when surgery may be required as bones get bigger or whatever. Surgery is not involved in all cases but it is something that could come up for consideration.

In addition, in respect of disabled children in particular, will the Minister of State consider, and I realise his hands may be tied on this issue, extending the period of time off from 14 to 20 weeks? That is not something that would be abused in any way but it is worth consideration. If those two issues could be considered, it would be worthwhile.