Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Kerrane raised the issue of 18 children with no school places for special classes. I will talk to the Minister for Education about that. Much progress has been made in the last three years. Seven new special schools have been established and there has been a massive expansion of SNAs and special education teachers. The basic principle is that children who need a place should be given one, and not just any place but one that is appropriate to the individual child's needs.

I will talk to the Minister in respect of the 20 children mentioned by Deputy Whitmore. I presume that is an urban growth issue in terms of the capacity of schools and so on but, again, maybe temporary provision can be made in prefabricated buildings or whatever is required.

There is an issue emerging on foot of the significant reforms that have been undertaken by this Government in respect of insurance, as mentioned by Deputy Shanahan. All the major items that were identified at the commencement of the Government have been dealt with, legislated for and implemented, but we have not seen the level of premium reductions that should reflect the reforms. We have seen increased margins and profitability of the insurance companies. There is an issue there that needs to be addressed.

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