Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Returning to the issue of special education centres, I agree that language is important. Can the Tánaiste imagine the shudder of fear that went through families with children with special or additional needs last night when they heard the phrase "special education centres"? The Government asks us for our trust. The Tánaiste says the policy is integration, yet the practice now seems to be segregation. I will ask the Tánaiste straight out: can he promise me, the Chamber and families at home who are looking on with fear that over the coming months and years no child with a special or additional need will be placed into a prefab or an underused building? The Tánaiste talks about policy, but this cannot be the practice. Each week, we in the Dáil see children come to us with their families seeking school places or wheelchairs. Children and families have for too long had to strive for their basic needs when it comes to the vindication of their disability rights. They have absolutely no trust when they hear "special education centres" that it will not mean segregation. It simply will not be stood for.

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