Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The big problem is that the demand has grown greatly, which is unfortunate. The number of children needing help has increased a great deal and we have not kept pace in dealing with them. We know that resources are stretched, but children are falling behind now because they do not have as much support. The Minister of State said that teachers are qualified to look after many of these children, but the teachers already have their hands full dealing with the other children. The Minister cannot deny that children with difficulties will fall further behind, and it is unfair to allow so much of an impact on their potential to improve, which is what the parents are telling me is happening.

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