Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

On 22 June the Taoiseach gave a commitment that services for children with special needs would be maintained. He stated: "I also assure the House that all schools which enrol children with special needs will have special needs assistants' support." Why, then, is the Government cutting special needs services? Is this another example of a broken promise? The current Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, made a similar promise while in opposition. What does the Taoiseach say to the families who will be protesting at the gates of Leinster House today at 3 p.m.? I agree with the Taoiseach that the country is in hock, but it is about choices and how we spend our money.

What does the Taoiseach say to the school principal of a very disadvantaged school on the northside of Dublin who recently wrote to me saying that he was informed by the special education needs organiser that their class for children with mild learning disabilities is to be suppressed? He told me also that parents chose to send their children to his school for its inclusive education experience, as promised by the EPSEN Act. What is his response to these parents and teachers? What does he say to the family of Aoife, a child with special needs, who is being refused transport due to a technicality in the regulations while the bus passes her front door? What does the Taoiseach say to groups such as the INTO and Inclusion Ireland that are strongly opposing these cuts to the services for children with disabilities?

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