John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I support the amendment and the Department's policy, as outlined by the Minister. Rather than be drawn into an argument regarding the Government's commitment to disability, I wish to outline what is done by the office of equality, disability and mental health, which I have the privilege of heading up. Instead of engaging in a political argument, I wish to confirm to members of the public, rather than those on the Opposition benches, the Government's commitment in respect of the area of disability.

I accept the point made by Deputies Brian Hayes and McHugh in respect of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act and I wish to clarify the position in that regard. It is completely disingenuous and untrue to suggest that the Government has abandoned the Act. In light of the new economic position in which the country finds itself, on budget day the Government clearly explained that it does not possess the financial resources to commit to the full implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. However, the Minister for Finance did allocate €20 million in respect of education for people with special needs. In an era of press releases and Government statements, very little was done to claim credit in this regard.

Both the €20 million allocated to the Department of Health and Children and the €10 million allocated to the Department of Education and Science are specifically ring-fenced for a particular purpose. More importantly, the 125 therapists in respect of which the Government has made a commitment will be specifically employed in the area of special educational needs. People must realise that the Government could not fully implement the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act. However, it has made the specific allocations to which I refer.

It is difficult to believe what Deputy Brian Hayes stated regarding Fianna Fáil Members saying certain things to him in private. It is extremely difficult to believe that Fianna Fáil Deputies might say one thing while believing another.

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