Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the Bill being introduced by Senator James Reilly. It is important we start planning in this area. There are simple issues we must resolve, such as the numbers of people getting support or being cared for by family. What is the age profile of parents? What planning must we do to ensure that when parents are no longer able to provide care, there can be someone to step in and take over that care? It is a big issue as there is no planning. I raised the issue yesterday about the need for respite care for people being cared for at home. I very much welcome the Bill being introduced by Senator Reilly.

We have introduced many changes in the primary school sector over the past number of years relating to people who need additional support in primary schools and the educational system. Many children are going forward into the secondary schools system but we do not seem to have planned in that system for their needs. I was speaking to people yesterday and in one school, over 70 people are looking to get into the unit operating in that school. We should have a debate on how we provide forward planning for young people who are getting support in the primary school sector but who are not getting it in the secondary school sector. I ask the Minister for Education and Skills to come here to deal with that matter in a debate.