John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)

The misinformation generated by the Opposition following the Minister's decision to close a number of special classes for pupils with mild general learning disabilities has caused unnecessary anxiety and distress for many parents of children with special educational needs. The impression that such children would be bereft of special needs support is disingenuous. The Minister has made it clear that the decision was taken because there were insufficient numbers in these classes to warrant their retention on the basis of the Department's policy on class retention. These children will be supported by their mainstream class teachers as well as through the general allocation model of resource teaching that applies in respect of all mainstream primary schools.

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