Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I thank the Fine Gael education spokesperson, Deputy Brian Hayes, for putting this very important matter on the agenda. I wish the new Minister for Education and Skills well in her new portfolio but I am gravely disappointed that she has not stayed in the House for this debate. Many people have taken time off to follow this debate from the Visitors' Gallery and it does not augur well if she cannot make herself available for three hours tonight.

Expectation is relevant to this debate. Every parent expects that a mainstream education is achievable for their loved ones. That expectation arose when the position of SNA's came on stream. The work that parents and, in many cases, grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters and neighbours have done over the years is now being supplemented in the classroom by the SNAs. The confidence this gave to parents was unbelievable and the bond created between the family and the SNA is of paramount importance if successful integration is to take place.

The pride that parents take from their children's performance is something that has to be seen to be believed. In some instances that progress would not be known to anyone but the immediate family but in others the integration process was such a success that the child developed to the point where an SNA was no longer needed. The common denominator is that the child, his or her family and the SNA worked together to ensure success. We should not forget the efforts of the teachers and boards of management.

I received a letter from a parent in my constituency which states:

Since my last communication with you via this forum a few changes have occurred. My eldest son's access to a SNA has been reduced and my youngest son is in danger of losing out on a much coveted place in one of our local primary schools because of the scramble for places for children with an intellectual disability.

What hasn't changed however is their diagnoses. One remains autistic with ADHD and the other with Global Developmental Delay and a moderate learning disability.

Having become accustomed to the "fight" over the past number of years i.e. access to speech and language services, occupational therapy, etc. I really feel at a loss as to why I and many other parents like me, must summon all our strength and resources to ensure our children be provided with an education that is entirely appropriate to their needs.

I, for one, am tired of the "fight" and look forward to a time when the savagery of the education cutbacks will no longer affect our precious children.

I realise this last paragraph is a statement that reflects the thoughts of many thousands of parents throughout the country tonight. Yet, I also know the expectation of all those parents is such that they will not give up the fight and will continue the battle, which is what this is seen as, to ensure their children will be given the opportunity of education, which should be freely given with goodwill by the Government. The SNA, special needs assistant, mechanism is good. It works and gets results. Why change a winning team? In many instances, the team includes teachers and SNAs. Most important is that the children deserve the service.

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