Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I strongly urge any Member who has an interest in special needs assistants and the highly emotive area of special educational needs, which is driven by genuine concern among everyone involved, to attend a meeting with Ms Mary Brogan which will be held in the Iveagh Room tomorrow. Details have been circulated to all Deputies. Two weeks ago, I had an opportunity to hear a presentation given by Ms Brogan in which she painted a much bigger picture than that normally painted by individual schools or the parents and relatives of children with special needs. It is not that the schools and parents do not give a comprehensive picture but that Ms Brogan paints a wider picture. I suggest the relevant committee explore this issue with the National Council for Special Education once Members have availed of the opportunity to listen to Ms Brogan's presentation.

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