Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The ratio for special needs classes and those relating to autism is 5:1 or 6:1 and not 15:1. We put in place resources to bring the ratio relating to these classes right down. We did not make a promise in that regard but it was the right thing to do. We reduced class sizes by providing classroom assistants and full-time teachers. The ratio in every school in the country with special needs classes is 5:1. That is a major achievement of which anyone would be proud. I am certainly proud of it.

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