Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

Yesterday, The Irish Times published a comprehensive listing, on a county by county basis, of the main feeder schools to third level institutes and universities throughout the country. The fee-paying schools, particularly those in Dublin, were on top of the list, which demonstrates the imbalance that exists. A hidden factor in the statistics is that many of the fee-paying schools do not take in special needs students and those that do provide few if any resources for them. I have asked on previous occasions that the Minister rectify this as a matter of urgency. She has failed to do so over the past two years.

I ask that we have an urgent debate on education, particularly highlighting the unfair circumstances whereby most pupils with special needs are in disadvantaged schools throughout the country. I hope the Minister will properly resource special needs teachers and address the inequity that exists, which represents a glaring anomaly according to the article in yesterday's newspaper.