Averil Power (Fianna Fail)

I support the amendments. As I stated on Second Stage last week, I understand where the Minister is coming from, given that the HSE has often used the fact that the Minister for Education and Skills has responsibility as an excuse for not stepping up to the mark. However, I have a concern. There is a gap arising from the failure to assign, at the same time, a positive responsibility to the Minister for Health. The National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education, NABMSE, is very concerned in this regard. I am willing to support the change proposed by the Minister provided there is a positive corresponding responsibility assigned to the Minister for Health. In the absence of such a balancing provision, I would share the concerns expressed by NABMSE that a lacuna may arise.