Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have a comment on the overall issue of the Estimates and budgetary process, which I have made at each of the previous Estimates meetings to the former Minister, Deputy Quinn, for whom I had enormous time. He contributed to the education system. I have worked in the education system at primary, secondary and management level and have some understanding of it. I feel passionately that we politicians must put our priorities on the table at this time of year. Yesterday, through a parliamentary question, I learned that savings of nearly €5 million accrued on the day of industrial action last week. I will pass no comment on this, good, bad or indifferent. It is a mathematical issue. A saving of €4 million was made on rental accommodation. If the Minister wishes to leave her mark on the education system, both personally and politically, it could be in the area of the allocation of resources for children with special learning needs. As a member of the committee and a politician, it is my top priority. I plead with the Department that where any savings accrue, such as in the areas I mentioned or on the rental of accommodation thanks to the schools building programme, they be reinvested into special needs learning. It has progressed enormously in my lifetime from a zero base, and I want it to continue.