Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

I have listened intently to many parents in my own constituency who have serious fears about this measure. I understand that this is a progressive development in many instances, but there are situations where a "one cap fits all" approach will unfairly affect some isolated rural communities. To this end, I have already requested from the Minister that a provision be entered into school staffing appeals to accommodate exceptional cases, such as a school in my own constituency in Kilcrohane, County Cork, which if reduced to a one-teacher school would close and require a daily commute in excess of 28 miles. I welcome the Minister's confirmation therefore that the staffing appeals schedule will examine exceptional cases that will be affected.

Notwithstanding the need for an appeals mechanism to avoid excessive hardship for a limited number of schools, I welcome the initiative announced, based on the following. In an ideal world, any classroom should have no more than two classes in it. That requires a minimum of four teachers, which is for good teaching and good learning.

The teaching of special needs children is close to my own heart. In this difficult budget, I commend the Minister for protecting special needs resources. Time is wasted when special needs teachers must traverse the countryside from one small school to another, during a limited number of hours. Time would not be wasted if schools came together to consolidate their resources.

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