Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I know her passion for this area and exactly what she feels. That passion is something that we need across all elements of government because, with the greatest of respect, the Minister of State cannot do this on her own. In the education space in particular, this has to be about focusing on the individual young person and what it is we need to put in place to ensure that he or she can reach his or her full potential. I encourage the Minister of State to continue being ambitious, but the message has to go out clearly to all elements of government that the era of decisions being taken without the interests of those with disabilities being at the top of the agenda has to end.

I welcome the Minister of State's comments and I look forward to the publication of the NDA's report, but the message to all Departments, in particular the Department of Education, is that the approach needs to change.