Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

A new package of extra resources — from higher capitation grants, to teaching principals and priority status on the building programme — has been made available to encourage schools to set up special classes for children with autism. This has supported the expansion in the number of such classes from less than 150 in September 2004 to almost 280 at present, with 40% of these set up in the past year alone. Many significant advances have, therefore, been made in recent years, improving the lives of children with special needs and their families.

Whereas ten years ago, most parents of children with significant special education or care needs had no choice but to send them to a special school, now there are three distinct choices available. The child can attend a mainstream class in their local school — we are spreading that availability throughout the country — with additional supports as required, can attend a special class in a mainstream school or can attend a special school.

The needs of students can change as they get older and mature. The system now in place provides both a continuum of education and options to enable students move from one setting to another in line with their changing needs.

Special schools still play a significant role as part of the range of options now available and will continue to do so. There are over 100 special schools all over the country. Not only is the Government committed to continuing to support such schools, we see huge potential to develop them as centres of excellence and outreach facilities working with mainstream schools. We are also committed to developing a new procedure for dual enrolment so that children can attend both a special school and a mainstream school as appropriate. There is no question, therefore, of the special school option not being supported.

Most parents, however, prefer their child to be integrated into mainstream education where possible. They want the child to be able to go to a local school, where he or she can have both access to specialist supports and the chance to mix with other children from his or her area. They value the fact that even the child in the special class who needs intensive specialist support can benefit from participating with his or her peers in activities such as school sports days and concerts and feel part of the school community.

Not only is inclusion the desire of the vast majority of parents, it is also the guiding ethos of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Educating children in the least restrictive environment has become the norm in developed societies in recent years.

I was genuinely shocked to hear the Leader of the Opposition refer last week to inclusion as a "social experiment".

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