Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My mother was from Clonmel in County Tipperary. I am delighted to accept Senator Ahearn's invitation to come down to Tipperary and particularly to visit Ardfinnan National School. I have met the wonderful Cara Doherty. I am sure she did incredibly well in her junior certificate mathematics examinations. The school is to be commended.It sounds like a role model in that regard. I would be absolutely delighted to come down, see the room and perhaps discuss how we can assist the school into the future, and any other schools in the environs as well. It is always very helpful to me to visit not just mainstream schools, but also schools with special classes and special schools, of course, as well, to get that feedback and listen to what the people have to say. The people on the ground everyday working with children with additional needs know what is required to sort of make sure the students have as independent a life as they possibly can into the future. They need the wraparound supports in order to do that.

The school inclusion model trialled in February 2019 was interrupted because of Covid. It is back now on a trial under community healthcare organisation, CHO, 7. I hope it is something we can bring forward in the future, which will assist Ardfinnan National School also.