John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the opportunity to respond to the debate to which I have listened intently this evening. I recognise that the issue is one of great concern not just to Opposition Deputies, but also to Government Deputies. It was one of the first occasions in my time in the House to hear the spokesperson who tabled the motion being praised by Government Members. That is an indication of the concern on this side of the House.

As Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills with responsibility for special education and also with responsibility in the areas of disability and mental health under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children, it is difficult to accept that we are being dishonest and that what is happening is due to the implementation of cost-saving measures. The opposite is the case. It causes me great concern when that message is spread. People have come to me in my constituency on the matter. As the Tánaiste outlined, there has been no alteration of the criteria governing the allocation of special needs assistants. The clear impression has been created that this is a cost-saving exercise.

I was taken by the point made by Deputy Enright that many of the teams are not fully staffed by professionals. That is especially the case with speech therapists. I do not wish to use the term "scarce resources" in the same breath as saying we are trying to save money but we are trying to spend the allocation we have to ensure we deliver the best levels of support. I do not intend to use my few minutes to go through the categories of funding and percentages but it is important to outline that €1 billion is allocated to special education, one ninth of the overall education budget. I reject the allegation that what we are doing is trying to supply money to save the banks. That is far from being the case.

I refer Deputies to the fact that in the renewed programme for Government the commitment to special education has been further established. The Tánaiste referred to the major improvements in this area. I accept that. I urge Members to believe in our commitment to special education, and to the disability sector. I have initiated a value for money review. Such reviews are often considered as an attempt by Government to fill a black hole somewhere. I have given a commitment to the disability sector in terms of the review on practices and services. Whatever the outcome of the review, there will not be a reduction in the €1.6 billion that is spent on the sector. Any savings that are secured will remain in the sector.

I recognise the level of funding the Tánaiste specified and to which she is committed. Her commitment was that the Government's investment in special education would continue. The commitment by both parties in the coalition, which is in the renewed programme for Government, is open and transparent. It refers to the expansion in the number of psychologists employed directly by the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, which would ultimately allow for the assignment of a NEPS psychologist to every primary and post-primary school in the country. Particular emphasis will be put on special needs units, classes and special schools. Surely that is evidence of continuing commitment to special education?

Children with special educational needs will continue to receive an education appropriate to their needs. The National Council for Special Education will continue to allocate teaching and special needs assistant resources. Rather than reading them out, it would be worthwhile for Members to go through the details of the counter motion to see the level of commitment on staffing levels to which Deputy Conlon referred. I refer Members to the commitment of €1 billion and the continuing commitment of the Government through the renewed programme for Government that special education remains a priority.

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