Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I believe the answer is none. How then can she, as the Minister, formulate policy without seeing the issue first-hand? Does the Minister not acknowledge that parents must have some input into deciding the most appropriate form of education for their child? Does she not agree that parents must be listened to, as they know what is working best for their child? Surely when parents have received a recommendation from a professionally qualified person that ABA is the most effective education method for their child, this advice should be listened to and acted upon.

The Minister referred extensively in her speech last night to the fact that the number of special needs assistants has increased from 300 to 10,000. However, she failed to point out that her own Department's website explicitly states that special needs assistants are not educators but have a caring and support role. Parents want to have their children educated, not simply cared for in the classroom.

The Minister also referred to experts brought in by her Department from both Norway and the United States of America but failed to provide their names or qualifications, which would be useful, given that this was her first ever mention of these experts. I would be grateful if the Minister would provide full details about these people.

The Minister further stated that one-to-one teaching is not appropriate for all children. While I agree with her on that point, what of the children for whom it is appropriate? It is the minority of lower-functioning children who need the one-to-one tuition. Can the Minister explain how the new units her Department has set up are suitable for lower-functioning children?

The Minister used a nice sound bite regarding her approach as being "child-centred rather than method-centred". While it is a pleasant sound bite, it means nothing. What is child-centred about, ignoring the needs of lower-functioning children?

I hope the Government Members will support the motion before the House.

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