Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This measure would have meant a 25% cut in support hours for children with special needs over the past three years. These cuts were started by Fianna Fáil and continued on by the present Government with a Labour Minister. It is still the case that a 15% cut has already taken place. There is also the crucial issue of SNAs and those who physically support children with more severe disabilities, the number of which has been capped at last year’s levels. The Minister claims there has been no increase in demand but the National Council for Special Education claims numbers rose by 2,000 last year.

The 2013 OECD report, Education at a Glance, stated there was a fall in the proportion of public expenditure in education from 13.7% in 2000 to 9.7% in 2010. Ireland is now 29 of 32 OECD countries when it comes to education spend. The cut in funding has affected school budgets, pupil-teacher ratios and special needs supports. I know of a family in my area who has been informed by Stewarts School in Palmerstown that there has been a cut in adult day services which will affect their daughter. Funds for the housing adaptation grant have been cut by 40% from €54 million to €34 million. Right across the board people with disabilities are being hit with cuts to respite care allowance, special needs assistants, as well as questions asked about eligibility for disability allowance. The Minister stated the €20 million required for an extra 500 teaching posts will come from existing budgets. Most likely, it will mean yet another increase in pupil-teacher ratio. This is robbing Peter to pay Paul but Peter and Paul are the young and the vulnerable.

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