John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to debate the following matter of national importance, namely, the reduction in the number of special needs assistants, in particular the plans of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to introduce these cuts in special schools, including St. Anthony's Special School in Castlebar, where there are plans to cut four special needs assistants. The criteria used for the review which took place in the school are the same as those used for mainstream school, which is totally unfair and unjust, and discriminates against the most vulnerable in our society who cannot speak for themselves. The final decision on this matter is to be made in the next 24 hours and, therefore, it requires immediate attention.

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