Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Daly made the sensible suggestion that the Minister for Finance should brief the House on how the conclusions were arrived at and what will constitute the outcome. He would also like a debate on class sizes. I commend the INTO in this regard in that it is engaging in a proper campaign. I hope its representatives will come to Athlone. We did not hear from them yet on the matter but they would be very welcome.

We are all very pleased with the special needs teachers and the Government has made huge strides in this regard. There is no doubt that pupils with special needs are the most vulnerable, including those who need special care and arrangements. The regular children, for want of a better description, or those in the full classes also have certain entitlements and I therefore hope we can arrange for the Minister to debate the matter in the House.