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

-----and, indeed, more recently as Tánaiste on the way into Government Buildings. I appreciate the extraordinary commitment she has shown in respect of this issue. It is important to point out the broader picture in terms of children, in particular those with special needs. More than 28,000 children are now being supported in special schools and classes. We have 10,000 more special education teachers under this Government, 5,000 more special needs assistants, 11 new special schools have opened and almost 1,300 new special classes have opened over the last four years. There is, therefore, very significant expenditure. The challenge is on the assessment of need and the provision of therapies. The progressing disability services programme, which was initiated in 2013, is one I do not agree with and something I sought to change within government. There has been huge resistance to that-----

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