Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

We have come a long way as the Minister has fought for €900 million for this area. The Minister indicated that between special needs assistants, resource teachers and so on there is a combined staff of 19,000. In 1998 only 3,000 people worked in this area.

Early intervention and diagnosis is the key and this is where the Department of Health and Children comes in. A mother will spot a child who is not developing normally by one and a half years of age and this is when diagnosis must be made. Once that happens the case should go straight to the Department of Health and Children and this is where a gap occurs.

The Minister has acknowledged that after early intervention home tuition is necessary; ten hours up to two and half to three years of age, increasing to 20 hours thereafter. A 1:1 pupil-teacher ratio is necessary with teachers who understand the approach that must be used because each child will require a different approach. Speaking as a teacher, I know one might use three different approaches within half an hour, depending on the child in question.