Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Two studies, one by Senator Leyden and the other by Senator McHugh, will make interesting reading and I look forward to reading them. Senator O'Toole raised a point with which I have great sympathy, namely, the cases piling up against the Department of Education and Science. If what we read is correct, the Department seems determined to fight each one. It has always been a tenet of Departments to fight such cases whenever and from wherever they arise, but many of the cases to which the Senator referred involve great heartbreak for parents and carers. A more prudent approach may be required whereby the Department sifts through them to identify the genuine cases. I take the Senator's point, especially as it relates to cases involving autism.

Senator Ryan spoke about the creation of a snobs charter in the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2007 whereby developmental areas are to be exempted from Part V.