Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is sad that the Minister of State has said he does not understand what the ghettoisation of schools means. It occurs when the mix in a school is lost. If all disadvantaged and disruptive students, as well as students with special needs, are in one school and the natural mix is lost, that is not good for the pupils and education. We hear a lot of talk about the allocation of resource teaching hours. What is going to happen in the case of children with Down's syndrome in September? A couple of months ago the Government accepted my Bill, the Down's Syndrome (Equality of Access) Bill, but I do not know what is going to happen in the provision of resource teaching hours. I have heard a lot of talk about the allocation of such hours and it was said the Minister had done a great job, but I do not think so. This morning I received a letter from the parent of a student in St. Michael's House, Baldoyle, which was losing a teacher and a special needs assistant. It provides an excellent service in Baldoyle for severely disabled children. I would like the Minister of State to respond on the allocation of resource teaching hours.

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