Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the debate. I thank Deputy Brian Hayes for sharing time.

This is an important motion, as it clearly challenges those in Government who say they are protecting the vulnerable. All Deputies have a duty to stand up and speak out on behalf of children with a disability. It is particularly relevant in these tough economic times that we support the 534 children who will be affected by the withdrawal of 128 special needs classes and I call on the Government to reverse this draconian decision. It is unfair, it is unjust and it is a blatant attack on our education service. I speak as a parent and an INTO member who has campaigned for many years on special education. I commend the recent speech of the president, Declan Kelleher, at the recent INTO conference where he referred to creating a more progressive, caring society. I congratulate Sheila Noonan on winning the general secretary's race in the organisation.

The decisions for all families with a member who has a disability are becoming difficult and, in recent days, I have witnessed worse cutbacks to their services. A young adult constituent of mine with a serious physical disability has had his five-day service reduced to three, which is causing major stress for his family. Tragically, 245 parents in their 70s and 80s are on waiting lists at St. Michael's House for services for their sons and daughters because of a lack of money for additional residential places. Four pressure points are emerging for the Prosper Fingal disability service in Swords and Skerries, County Dublin: follow-on day service in 2009 for those completing their training in Seatown Road centre; demand for new applicants, including school leavers, who will seek the service later this year; individuals and families in crisis who need residential or respite provision; and funding to meet the company's capital requirements.

These are the realities for children and adults with a disability. This is the real world for families. Hence, my support for the motion. I urge all Members to support children and adults with a disability and to support education as a right and a step towards a more inclusive and caring society.

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