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

I agree on increased resources toward services for children with additional needs. In respect of school there should be no excuse for an absence of any place for any child. It is a constitutional right and there is legislation that places an obligation on schools and on the State. We may need to strengthen that legislation if it is not being enacted. There has been a reluctance to enact it in some cases. We had a situation before where we had a clear pupil-teacher ratio for children with special needs and it was adhered to. That practice has waned in some areas in recent times, especially at post-primary level. That is not acceptable and I will be talking to a number of Ministers on this issue. The programme for Government 100% provides for the establishment of a national therapy service in education, which will be progressed.

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