Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Looking at the overall economic situation, we are borrowing €70 million a day to maintain present levels of services against a background in which we are trying to bring about financial stability and this is a process that will be ongoing. It is an argument that can be made all the time, but it is important to point out that in this specific issue the Minister contacted the schools affected by the decision to end 128 special classes for pupils with mild general learning disability of below a certain number of students. That rule had been in place for some time. He invited people affected by the decision to make a submission setting out their case on educational grounds to retain their special classes even though they had dropped below the required number of pupils to retain such classes. I understand in 14 of the 49 schools the decision on appeal has been changed. In 35 of the 49 schools the decision to end special classes remains.

It should be noted that having the children in the mainstream classes is the desire of the vast majority of parents. Thankfully we have seen and are seeing in the more than 3,000 primary schools children with a mild learning disability included in ordinary classes supported by their friends, class teacher and learning support teacher, who can work with particular children on a one to one basis. The curriculum is flexible so that teachers can cater for the needs of children of different abilities. Specifically regarding this position on the numbers of pupils - fewer than nine pupils were in these special classes - the question of a teaching post being available is something that has not been available since 1999. This obviously built up over a long period of time. The Minister has reviewed it and in 14 of the cases he has accepted on educational grounds the case that has been made. The other cases will integrate as with the other 3,000 primary schools.

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