Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I congratulate my colleague Deputy Brian Hayes on pursuing the Government on this matter. The decision to axe special needs classes and abandon the most vulnerable children shows how out of touch the Government has become. Last February, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, pulled the rug from under these children to save €7 million without any thought of the consequences for them and their families. He could have found €7 million elsewhere without attacking these defenceless children.

The Minister claims these children can be transferred back into mainstream classes without any major disruption. He also claims the current level of resources available under the general allocation model is sufficient to meet the needs of the children. Nothing is further from the truth. I challenge the Minister to visit the special needs class at St. Senan's in Kilrush, west Clare. If he did, he would not be making such statements.

I was moved when I visited the school. These children are an inspiration to all of us. They are three happy children who are benefiting enormously from the excellent individual care and attention they receive from their teachers and special needs assistants. Their parents are devastated by this decision because they know their children cannot be transferred across to a mainstream class. They have witnessed the enormous strides their children have made already but are now worried and angry. If this class is axed what will happen to these children? Their parents are making many sacrifices to ensure their children receive the education they need.

The Minister should also understand the geography of west Clare. For one of these children to get to Kilrush every day would mean a round trip of 46 km. If the class in Kilrush is axed, they will have no alternative other than to stay at home. Parents of special needs children have to face a daily struggle to secure proper educational facilities for their children.

In 2005, an autism unit was set up at the school. Four years later, in spite of numerous promises, we still do not have a permanent structure for it. Last night the Minister said the needs of students can change as they get older and mature. While he is correct, no provision has been made for the future educational requirements of the children attending the autism unit in Kilrush once they have completed their time at the primary school.

One parent of a child attending the unit told me recently she does not want any more fudge from the Minister. She wants to know where her daughter and other children like her will receive their education when they leave St. Senan's. These parents deserve answers. Every day I receive telephone calls from parents across County Clare, concerned at the impact the reduction in the allocation of resource teachers and the hours available to access a special needs assistant announced in the budget will have on the needs of their children. The lack of funding is also delaying the commencement of redecorating works at St. Senan's school in Shannon where the autism unit is due to open in September.

Children with special needs did not bring this country to its knees. Every child is gifted; they just unwrap their packages at different times. I appeal to the Minister to leave these children alone and give them back their classes. I hope he will have the courage to admit he got this one wrong and reverse his decision.

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