Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I support the call for a debate on that issue. Some 150 families are now under threat from the Department of Education and Science. They have been told by the State Claims Agency that every single case will be fought. They have also been told their houses could be at risk if they lose the case because the State will force them to pay their legal expenses. I have no doubt that colleagues on the Government side of the House will feel exactly the same as we do on that issue. I think the Government's legal advisers have lost the run of themselves.

The State Claims Agency is run by the National Treasury Management Agency which is in the business of saving and making money. Going back to where we were long ago, they will frighten, charge, punish and pursue people for the sake of an extra shilling. In all these cases, no one is trying to take the State for anything. They all concern people who seek some form of redress having suffered appalling physical or sexual abuse, or people who seek some form of special education for their children.

We may agree or disagree with some of the issues, but these matters must be raised with the Minister for Education and Science and the Taoiseach. This is not the way to do it and it does not reflect any Minister's view. It would not reflect the Minister, Deputy Mary Hanafin's, view. It is no longer acceptable, however, for Ministers to say this is the legal advice and this is what they are doing. It is not acceptable and the matter must be discussed in this Chamber. The Minister should attend the House for such a debate.

The Minister should also take the opportunity to spell out what the Taoiseach meant last Saturday when, in a most welcome development, he indicated that thousands of extra teachers would be made available to improve class sizes. I have raised previously the question of primary school class sizes, but the same applies to post-primary schools where thousands of pupils attend classes of more than 30. The Taoiseach said he looked forward to improving class sizes, especially for English, mathematics and Gaeilge. The Minister for Education and Science should explain to us what she intends to do in this respect. There is a great deal of aggravation about class sizes. If the Government has a solution in hand, let us hear it and reduce the pressure by implementing it.

We had arranged a number of extra seats on the cross-benches today in expectation that some Government Members might cross the floor.