Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The little bit of hope I have is that it is the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, who is in the chair. I mean that sincerely. I think she is very reasonable and practical, and she is listening. However, for the NCSE to say there is not enough evidence to reclassify children who have a mild learning difficulty and Down's syndrome as needing extra resource hours leaves an unbelievable amount to be desired. The NCSE needs to start observing and doing case studies. This does not make sense. Schools are not clamouring to take these children. Why? It is because they know they have extra needs. The NCSE needs to go in to see why schools are not clamouring for them. I know there is the general allocation model, but that is just learning support, which is not adequate. These kids have needs over and above that.

I ask the Minister to continue the consultation and to ask the NCSE to go into schools in an observational role. Let us sort this out before the summer. Two years ago we thought we were getting somewhere, but we did not get anywhere with the last Minister. I have more hope on the basis that it is Deputy O'Sullivan who is Minister. I believe these children's rights are being infringed and that Down Syndrome Ireland should consider bringing a case on this. I would be delighted if the Minister had any comment to make.