17. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an update on the new disability unit in his Department. [8192/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

The unit within the Taoiseach's Department must deliver tangible results, not least for scoliosis patients who have been let down. Sixteen-year-old Mikey Henry is a scoliosis patient. I have approached the previous Taoiseach, the previous Minister for Health and the current Minister for Health and there is no response. All I am asking for, and all Mikey Henry's parents are asking for, is an opinion from a spinal specialist who deals with specific complex care along with having respiratory expertise, either in Ireland or abroad. Will the Taoiseach facilitate that for this child, who has been failed by the system? He is a scoliosis patient who was ready for an operation but, due to the delays, he has been let down time and again.

Sentiment score: -0.02

A second opinion, yes, please. That is all.

Sentiment score: 0.31

The parents for their child, just to see if there is anything that can be done before things get too bad.

Sentiment score: -0.54

31. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on children and education and disability will meet next. [7770/25]

Sentiment score: 0.00

I have met with special needs co-ordinators in Mayo and they have raised two serious issues with me. The first concerns students in mainstream classes with mild to moderate learning difficulties accessing the junior cycle level 2 learning programmes. These students required specialised special education needs teaching. However, the National Council for Special Education, under the auspices of the Department of Education, does not provide training in the level 2 learning programme to all mainstream teachers. Will the committee examine this? Furthermore, the Department does not allocate specific teaching hours to school management to provide resources to enable these students to access their curriculum within the mainstream classes. These are and should be separate from or added to SEN hours under level 2 learning programme teaching. It is essential schools are allocated hours to provide specialised teaching for those accessing L2LP and L1LP within the mainstream classes. Will the Cabinet committee address those issues?

Sentiment score: 0.09

And the extra hours.

Sentiment score: 0.00