Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senators O'Toole and Norris about the need for the Minister for Education and Science to address the House. Parents of autistic children are currently entitled to a home tuition grant of approximately 40 hours per week at a maximum payable rate of €520. However, it is crazy that there are no educational qualifications required of the person carrying out the work, that there is no supervision of who is carrying out the work involved and that children may not be in receipt of the full 40 hours per week. The needs of children with autism are even more special than the needs of children in mainstream schools. This is a ludicrous scenario. No doubt, down the line the State will be taken to court by either the children when they become adults or the parents which would be a waste of taxpayers' money. Many parents groups have been formed to try and get special schools set up which would use the applied behavioural analysis method, but they are not getting the funding. However, money is being squandered elsewhere in a haphazard manner. It is time we had a proper debate on the issue.

With regard to the appointment of Mr. Willie Walsh to——