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

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 they have three distinct choices available to them. Their child can either attend a mainstream class in their local school with additional supports as required; if the child has a low incidence special need, he or she can attend a special class in a mainstream school with a lower pupil-teacher ratio; or the child 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 to move from one setting to another in line with their changing needs. How much is left in the slot?

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