I follow on the same subject. I thank the Tánaiste for his continued engagement when I raised the issue of the summer programme, what was known as the July provision. In my constituency, I had one advocate who was representing ten families that were blocked out of the scheme. The stress, strain and torment that parents had to endure for the last few weeks were unbearable. A window of opportunity of six days was just unacceptable, to be brutally honest, because I, for one, appreciate the stress and strain that teaching staff are under in terms of managing all of this. I will continue to be a champion for children with disabilities and I want the Government to do likewise. We need to be mindful of giving them the best and first opportunity to thrive in life. Whether this is down to a financial issue or otherwise, we need to do whatever we can to resolve it.

I thank Deputy Roche. He did indeed speak with me on this issue yesterday. I am pleased that the Government has decided that the portal will reopen in the coming days to provide a better window for schools to apply. This Government's record on special education and children with additional needs is one of investment and growth. There were 8,767 children benefiting from the summer programme in 2016. Over 70,000 benefited last year. I would be surprised if that number was not higher again this year. When it comes to things like special classes, the roll-out of therapies in special schools and the size of the budget in special education, we have a lot of work to do but it is a priority area, as it should be.