Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

As a mother, I am reminded on a daily basis of the challenges that face us as parents to raise our children in a loving environment where understanding, love, and caring all play a vital role in their well-being and education. When parents holds their son our daughter for the first time, an overwhelming feeling of joy and love sends a message to this new life that they care for him or her, he or she is special and he or she is their responsibility. Deputy Brian Hayes tabled the motion to remind us all how precious our children are, especially children with special needs.

In the old days when in excess of 50 students was the norm in classrooms, many children who were unable to cope for whatever reason were left behind. Many were told they were not paying attention and they were put in corners and even called "dunces". In other words, they were told they were stupid. As a result, many children were lost into the abyss, never knowing they were special, but they only needed a helping hand. Many left school not able to read or write with some ending up in industrial schools where their childhood was lost forever.

Today, thanks to the thousands of dedicated teachers across this country, life in the classroom has changed for the better. Going to school has become an important and enjoyable part of a child's daily experience. The classroom has become a happier place but, for the parents of the 184,818 children with special needs, the new challenge is the threatened loss of that one special person in the classroom who can give their child the addition care and attention they need to deal with and overcome their learning disabilities and receive an education like every other child. Children with special needs need someone to take their hand on that first day in school and make them feel safe and special. They need a helping hand to the bus, to the classroom and to the bathroom. Children with special needs need someone to look out for their welfare, concerns and interests.

That is why specially trained SNAs are invaluable. Special needs children develop a special bond with their SNA and rely greatly on their support and care at school. The loss of this person from their lives in unimaginable. Children and parents alike will suffer greatly from the loss of SNAs. This will mean that a new generation of children is likely to be lost as they fade into the background of mainstream classrooms, where their special daily needs will no longer be catered for. Both special schools and mainstream schools will be affected by these cuts. Normal classroom routines will be disrupted and additional pressure will be put on teachers. Children with special needs in mainstream schools struggle even more, and without their SNA, they are at risk of being left behind. I implore the Minster to freeze cuts to SNAs and to recognise the invaluable work they do, without which many children and their families will suffer greatly.

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