Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We already have 480 extra resource teachers in place this year, with a further 480 resource teachers being put in place for next year. We are working exceptionally hard with the resources available to us to protect special needs children, nurture them and ensure they receive the best possible educational opportunities and achieve to the fullest of their potential. We have done that in light of the harsh winds of recession and will continue to do it. It has been a priority of the Government and, in particular, of the Minister, Deputy Quinn, since he first assumed office to protect that investment and to protect those children within our school system. We will continue to do that, which is the commitment the Deputy asked for and the commitment I am giving him.

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