I very much welcome the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities as a valuable contribution to the development of an effective national strategy to address the variety of needs of people with disabilities, including educational needs.
I am aware of the reservations to which the Deputy refers. However, I should point out that, rather than providing a justification for limiting expenditure, the objective of the designated school is to ensure that, where appropriate, children with special needs will have access to properly resourced education services on an integrated basis in their own area.
The development of the designated school concept will require the targeting of additional resources on these schools to ensure the availability of adequate services, including transport services.
The Government has decided to establish a monitoring committee comprising representatives of Departments, the social partners, organisations representing people with disabilities, their families and carer and service providers to monitor the implementation of the commission's recommendations.
The Government has also decided to establish an inter-departmental group to assist the work of the monitoring committee. My Department will make a full and positive contribution to the work of these groups in pursuing the objectives of the report.
