Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Private Members’ motion and the Minister’s U-turn on teaching supports for students with special needs. For me, this U-turn means people power works. This is the second occasion with this Minister where people power has worked, the first being his U-turn on DEIS schools. Word has gone out among the public that it can defeat this Government.

These cuts should never have been announced. I find it astounding that a Labour Minister would attempt to introduce these cuts. There was no need for these cuts as there is no financial pressure on the Government. Over the past several weeks, we have hearing in the media and in the Dáil that the Minister for Finance has an extra €1 billion to play around with in the coming budget. There is absolutely no need for these cuts.

It is important to remember some cuts never heal, such as those targeted at the most vulnerable, namely students with special needs. The Minister has not gone far enough in his U-turn. He needs to lift immediately the cap on SNAs originally put in place by Fianna Fáil.

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