Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Carrigy's sentiments. The origin of this debate lies in the unacceptable situation of a lack of school places for nearly 100 children in September, but there is a process that has to happen for everything. If I ring a board of management and tell it that it should provide a special needs class, it will ask me who I am, whether I know a class is needed, whether the resources are in place and whether there is a gap in the area. Processes exist for everything in order to ensure that things are done right and that taxpayers' money is used in the best possible way to secure the best possible outcomes for the people who need them most. That is what I understand section 37A exists to do. The Minister of State has identified problems with section 37A and sought to streamline it, with which I have no problem. I am only asking about why there is what I read to be a bypassing of section 37A. Surely, a phone call or letter from the NCSE is no substitute for an official process. The official process does not need to take long. If section 37A is an unacceptable way of dealing with the matter, then get rid of it. Clearly, the Government intends to proceed logically and it has streamlined the process to shorten the time for the necessary consultations. Before anything is done for anyone, consultation is needed. Does section 37A make sense or not? Is it being asserted that there are situations where section 37A is not appropriate? If so, then an argument is being made that, despite all this process being provided for in legislation, there are cases where it is completely irrelevant. If so, then say it. I have not heard it being said, but maybe I have not been listening well enough. I am worried about the confusion.