7 Samh 2012, 17:37
The Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection today considered how greater use might be made of internal and external policy analysis to capture the full impact of Budget decisions on individuals and families.
7 November 2012
Chair of the Committee Joanna Tuffy says: “Our Committee this afternoon heard Social Justice Ireland and the TASC independent think-tank strongly advocate the greater use of rigorous and transparent Pre-Budget Audits. There is undoubtedly a need to conduct budget discussions in more public and rational manner, where the key long-term data can be shared and debated out in the open.
“Both organisations have deep concerns about the impact of budgetary decisions on economic equality and believe that Oireachtas Committees in particular could provide the space in which the long-term trends about economic imbalances are ventilated. The budgetary process in Scotland was instanced, where leading experts and parliamentarians engage with government in debating upcoming budgets in an open and transparent manner.”
Separately, the Committee met with the Special Needs Parents Association, to discuss the on-going challenges they are facing. The Association was established in 2010 to provide a national network to support and represent parents of all persons with special needs or disabilities, regardless of their diagnosis or age.
Deputy Tuffy continues: “The Committee acknowledges the point of the Association representatives their members find dealing with the system much more daunting than the challenges of bringing up a special needs child. Their presentation centred on the need for integration, individualisation and parental choice in all matters. The Committee heard that the move from individualised support in special needs education to whole school support was leading to inconsistency in the system. We also acknowledge the concerns expressed around the limitations of our school transport system when dealing with children with special needs. ”
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies:
James Bannon, Fine Gael
Ray Butler, Fine Gael
Áine Collins, Fine Gael
Joan Collins, People Before Profit
Seán Crowe, Sinn Féin
Clare Daly, Independent
Simon Harris, Fine Gael
Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fáil
Nicky McFadden, Fine Gael
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Labour Party (Vice Chair)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin
Willie O’Dea, Fianna Fáil
Brendan Ryan, Labour Party
Joanna Tuffy, Labour Party (Chair)
Senators:
Jim D’Arcy
Fidelma Healy Eames
Marie Moloney
Marie Louise O’Donnell
Averil Power
Diarmuid Wilson