Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I am grateful for an opportunity to speak to this Private Members' motion on the urgent need to support special needs pupils and not cut services to such young people. I thank and commend my colleagues in the Technical Group for showing great courage and leadership on this matter. I call on parents and teachers to come to Leinster House at 3 p.m. on Wednesday to show support for the campaign by the Technical Group to fight for services for all children with disabilities.

I challenge those in Government who actively support cuts to educational services for children with a disability. They are penalising children for the actions of bankers and some developers and politicians. Six months ago, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin travelled around Dublin North Central ranting about cuts to educational services which had been introduced by the previous Government. Having used the issue to secure his election, it is a disgrace that he is actively supporting further cuts in education, specifically in the number of special needs assistants. His silence is deafening.

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