Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

The Senator should acknowledge that something is taking place.

I acknowledge there was a lack of consultation. I note the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, who is present, represents the health aspects of this issue and there must be greater consultation that must start very early on. Early intervention often comes from the health rather than the education sector because public health nurses are the first people who ascertain what is wrong with a child. A system should be developed with the Department of Health and Children whereby the Department of Education and Science will come into play when a child is four years of age. I am not convinced that such early intervention is working well as yet. The Minister of State should bear in mind that a better cross-departmental approach is required on this issue that encompasses the Department of Health and Children, the HSE and the Department of Education and Science.

I do not want any child to be deprived and the Minister also has stated this. The people in the Gallery who are listening may rest assured that any child who needs a special needs assistant will get one. The bottom line is that my concern is for the child. Such a child should have access to equal opportunities in all walks of life and I believe the communities and schools should come into play in this regard. The school and the community should work together with parents and teachers. The approach should be developed to have a community spirit whereby the child can be integrated both into mainstream education and the community so he or she will grow in a natural way with the other development needs of other children in the area. In this way, they will rise through the peer pressure of their own age group.

I wish to reassure the House that special needs assistance will remain for those who need it. The present position concerns cases in which a child has moved on or where the school considers that a child does not need special assistance and has a sufficient number of trained teachers. Moreover, this is the manner in which I wish to proceed. I was satisfied with the Minister's speech this evening and I am glad he put an end to the misinformation that was extant. It is to be hoped that as the EPSEN Act is further developed, such children will get the proper education they need, that they will be integrated and that the supports will be in place in the special schools and for those who need them.