Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)

Parents of special needs children need support and assurances that the needs of their children will be met by the State and not threatened by the State. Special needs covers a wide spectrum as Members are aware. The work of the special educational needs organiser, SENO, with parental and teacher involvement, is vital in determining the needs of the child.

On a purely economic level, if these cuts come in they will impact on the other children in the classroom. The SNA will be going on social welfare. If we support these children now in equipping them for the future, in many cases they will not be dependent on the State.

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