Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I certainly visited a special class and discussed with teachers who are mainstreaming pupils with mild general learning disabilities the success or otherwise of that procedure. It was Department of Education and Science policy for ten years from 1985 for special classes to be in place. In 2005, the general allocation model was brought into being. I emphasise to Deputy Hayes that mainstreaming is in line with modern international practice. We take the child with mild general learning disability out of the isolation of a special class and put them in a mainstream class next to their friends. They are allowed to integrate and play with their friends and they are given support outside the class consistent with their needs. Deputy Hayes cannot have it both ways. When I asked him during the last Question Time whether he agreed with mainstreaming, his answer was that he did.

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