Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I join colleagues in supporting the Minister, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, and the amendment to the motion. It is important to recall that in the recent budget in excess of €1 billion was allocated to support children and adults with special educational needs. While a great deal of this debate has focused on events that occurred during the past decade, it is important to place this matter in a more recent context. The equivalent spend on special educational needs in 2004 was €468 million. The allocation has, therefore, more than doubled. The €1 billion allocation for this year will come from current spending. The latter is the exact form of spending which those on the opposite side of the House consistently advocate should be cut or curtailed. That is the context in which this debate should be considered.

From the expenditure to which I refer, support is provided across a wide spectrum of initiatives within in the education sector. At school level, in addition to the teachers provided in the classroom, significant additional supports have also enabled schools to cater for the needs of students with special educational needs. Colleagues referred to the number of SNAs and teaching assistants who are now in place and who have transformed the entire area of education in recent years. The level of services available to schools - particularly those with most need for such services - through SNAs and teaching assistants is greater than ever.

Most pupils can, through the general allocation model, be fully integrated into mainstream schools. All mainstream primary schools with students which have higher incidence of special educational needs and mild general learning disabilities attract extra supports through this model. Some children, including those with autism, require additional teaching care and supports. Schools are provided with special needs supports and additional teaching resources in order to cater for each individual child's needs.

It is important that people reflect upon Deputy Connick's remarks. Instead of speaking at the sector we should speak with it. It was slightly disappointing that the Deputy's experience was dismissed in such a manner by those opposite. Deputy Connick spoke from the heart and the proposers of the motion should have listened to what he had to say.

The general allocation model, which has been in place since 2005 and which has been the foundation for much of the investment in this area, is incredibly important. The critical point is that all pupils with mild general learning disabilities will continue to access additional teaching resources. All primary schools, under the general allocation model, have been given resources to allow them to cater for children with mild general learning disabilities. Such resources will not be withdrawn from any school.

The majority of schools have ordinary classes and policy of inclusion enjoys widespread support within the educational community. As has become evident during this debate, the debate relating to mainstreaming inspires emotion. In recent years, the thrust of Government policy has been towards mainstreaming and addressing the concerns outlined by Deputy Connick.

It is important to reflect on where the money that has been invested has been spent. Such funding has been used to provide SNAs and teaching supports and to develop the curriculum. There are now more than 8,000 learning support teacher posts in primary and post-primary schools. In addition, more than 1,000 teachers in special schools teach pupils with various disabilities at very reduced ratios. For example, the ratio in respect of children with autism is 6:1 and in respect of those with moderate general learning disabilities it is 8:1. There are some 10,000 SNAs in the education system who work in primary, post-primary and special schools. Approximately €190 million in enhanced capitation levels was allocated to special schools and mainstream schools with special classes. This capitation rate is much higher than that which is available to other schools. We have also made special transport arrangements and provided special funding for new technology, sensory technology and specialist equipment.

We have made an enormous investment across the board and, in particular, in respect of those with special educational needs. The Minister is ensuring that the money we are investing goes to those who need it most. I fully support him in this regard.

As already stated, the €1 billion that will be invested in this area during the coming year - this amount represents an increase of €100 million on the figure for last year - comes from current expenditure, which has been targeted by Deputy Bruton in recent weeks. Are those opposite in a position to provide an assurance that this €1 billion would be secure were they to move to this side of the House?

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