Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"recognising that:

— since 1998 major improvements have been made to the range of supports available for children with special educational needs;

— investment in supports for special needs has more than doubled in the last five years to over €1 billion this year;

— there are over 8,000 resource and learning support teachers in our schools;

— children in the 128 mild general learning disabilities classes will receive learning supports through the general allocation model;

— in total there are now about 19,000 teachers and special needs assistants working with children with special needs in our schools;

— the inclusion of students with special educational needs in mainstream schools is a national and international development that is supported in national legislation and in statements, reports and conventions that have emanated from such international bodies as the United Nations and the Council of Europe; and

— improved collaboration between the education and health sectors has been prioritised, with the appointment of a Minister of State with that specific responsibility;

supports the Government's determination, in a difficult budgetary environment, to prioritise investment for children with special educational needs by:

— ensuring that teaching and care supports are available to children with special needs so that they can continue to access an education that is appropriate to their needs;

— increasing the number of Education Psychologists to provide support to every school in the country;

— enhancing the capacity of the National Council for Special Education to co-ordinate the provision of services to children with special educational needs; and

— funding the provision of expert support, professional development and training opportunities in special education for principals, class and subject teachers, special class teachers, learning support and resource teachers and special needs assistants."

This Government is committed to meeting the needs of children with special educational needs. Supports for these children have been protected in spite of the serious financial situation we now face. Since 1998, major improvements have been made to the range of supports available for these children.

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