Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an rún seo. Is gá go mbeadh páistí i gcroí lár spiorad agus pholasaí ár náisiúin. Déantar aon Rialtas ar domhan a thomhas ar an gcaoi ina gcuidíonn sé le achan pháisté a chearta foscaidh, bia agus oideachais a bheith aige.

All children should have the right of access to education on the basis of equality, especially in a republic. Equality makes sense. It is key to building a society that is just, inclusive, safe and prosperous. Children who have Down's syndrome, who are physically disabled, who have learning or behavioural difficulties or who are afflicted with debilitating illnesses, have the same right of access to education as all other citizens. It is an indictment of successive Governments that this is not the norm and that the State tolerates second class status for some citizens.

Society and politicians have a responsibility to ensure that the rights of children with special needs are protected and upheld as legal entitlements. In my constituency, Government policy has left parents of children at Kilsaran national school and other schools deeply concerned that the Minister will deny them the SNAs their children require.

To appease the demands of the troika, the Government has been focused entirely on claiming there are too many SNAs, limiting the definition of special needs, reducing costs and limiting the hours available to children in need. I accept that there are more special needs assistants than ever in employment in this country and that is a good development. However, this is due to the fact that previous Governments and the education system failed several generations of children. More, not fewer, SNAs are required. There is also a need for new legislation to give effect to the rights of children. Greater transparency and accountability are needed in education sector, particularly in respect of the manner in which it responds to children with special educational needs. Sinn Féin wants the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 to be implemented in full.

Tá sé seo scannalach. Ní hamháin sin ach ní féidir le Sinn Féin glacadh leis an cinneadh seo. Is cuma anois, má chlaraítear páistí le riachtanaisí speisialta inár scoileanna. Ní bheidh tacaíocht ar fáil dóibh. Cad a déanfaidh príomhoidí anois, diúltú páistí a gclarú nuair a thagann sé go dtí Mí Mean Fhomhair? The rights of parents, in particular, must be valued and respected.

Two weeks ago, the Government paid €12 million to senior unguaranteed bondholders in Anglo Irish Bank. That one payment would be sufficient to cover the cuts the Government is insisting on introducing in respect of SNAs and the education sector. The Government's priorities are wrong and it is making the wrong political choices. I urge Labour and Fine Gael Deputies to do the right thing and support the motion.

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