Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

Under the new plan, children from areas of socio-economic disadvantage will receive more support than ever before to help them reach their full potential. Every child deserves the opportunity to reach his or her potential and it is my aim, as Minister for Education and Science, to create the environment where that can be achieved. In the case of children with special needs, a particular targeted response is needed to enable such children develop their particular abilities, enhance their educational level and prepare them for participation in society. The record of the State over decades in providing for children with special needs has been poor.

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