Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

A Cheann Comhairle, you have received other questions today. You might concede on the first question and that would clear up this entire matter, but I do not wish to pre-empt your decision. The Education for People with Special Educational Needs Act or EPSEN Act passed by the Oireachtas gave absolute rights and guarantees to special needs children in primary and post-primary school. Can the Taoiseach advise the House if the Minister for Education and Science had the full support of the National Council for Special Education before his decision to effectively get rid of 128 teachers for special needs children from 1 September next? Would the Taoiseach not accept that an amendment to the EPSEN Act is required for the Minister to do this?

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