Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

-----shame on the Department of Education and Science and shame on this Government.

If the Minister took the time to look at the correspondence, lobbies and submissions that are sent to his office, he would see the real effects of these cruel measures on needy children. For example, St. Catherine's senior girls school in Cabra recently sent the Minister a detailed submission illustrating starkly just how the abolition of its special class will affect its students. Most of these children will enter classes of 24 plus and it will not be possible for the mainstream class teacher to continue his or her individualised programmes in any subjects. The submission describes starkly how differentiation in a mainstream class will serve only to alienate, humiliate and destroy any self-confidence the children may have. It describes how the children in this particular class are at least four years behind the chronological age and, sadly, will remain that way throughout their lives. I submitted a parliamentary question to the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, on this submission and, in reply, he stated that there will be no pupil with a special educational need who will be without access to a special needs teacher as a result of the decision to apply the normal rules, etc. It is typical. The same reply mantra time after time.

To remove these children and all children with special educational needs from their own special class is utterly appalling. I am not sure if the Minister actually recognises what he has done to these children and the damaging impact it will have on them for years to come, and for what - a paltry sum, as Deputy Ó Snodaigh stated, of €6 million. I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, and all of his colleagues collectively, in front-line Cabinet positions and junior ministries, to reverse these appalling cuts.

I conclude by asking a party not represented here at this point in the debate, the Green Party, to try to rescue the remaining shreds of its credibility by supporting the motion, to show some back bone and to do what it knows is right. I hope it will do the right thing. Children with learning disabilities across the State are depending on the Government not to deprive them of their right to be treated fairly and with respect. That is a basic right we demand on behalf of all those children and their families. It is within the Minister's gift to deliver it now.

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