Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien's views on the appropriateness of commenting on the Minister for Justice, Deputy Alan Shatter. As Senator Ivana Bacik has outlined, I was in the House last evening when he had to make the sad announcement concerning the two children and the families involved. On the other hand we want to ensure the Garda and the HSE act appropriately for children. I hope when we get the independent report that we can learn from it.

I refer to the Dyspraxia Association of Ireland. Dyspraxia is a condition that has been found to affect two children in every classroom in Ireland. The association has one employed member of staff and many voluntary members, particularly parents of children with the condition. The sad fact is that the condition is not recognised in children as there is not enough education, information and training to enable teachers recognise it. The position is that the one member of staff in the Dyspraxia Association of Ireland will have to finish work on 15 November 2013 due to a lack of funding. It is pathetic that the association finds itself in this position. Were it not for the fact that it has so many voluntary members it could not continue to operate. It can be difficult to recognise dyspraxia and many teachers confuse the condition. At a recent meeting in Drimnagh a teacher said he or she had a child with the condition in his or her classroom and did not know it. I call for a debate on the subject as it is only by talking about it that we bring about an awareness of dyspraxia. I also want urgent action on the matter. A new association is being set up in my area of Tallaght in a voluntary capacity with parents. It provides a national telephone line out of the meagre funding available to it. As this will stop I call for an urgent debate on the matter.