Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

The renewed programme for Government makes a commitment to avoid increasing the pupil-teacher ratio in primary and second level schools over the lifetime of this Government and provides for 500 teaching posts in the next three years over and above additional posts that will arise due to demographic increases. I am pleased to advise Senators that 100 of these posts are being used to improve the learning support service in post-primary schools.

This Government's investment in special needs provision speaks for itself. It has transformed the ability of schools to provide for all children. This investment will continue to be made because the Government is committed to ensuring that as many children as possible can receive an appropriate education in their own communities and alongside their peers. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities places a strong obligation on governments to provide inclusive education for all learners. It requires states to ensure that persons with disabilities are not excluded from the general education system on the basis of disability and can access inclusive, quality and free primary and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live.

This Government has ensured that additional supports for children with special educational needs are put in place in schools all over the country. Our policies and levels of investment have delivered additional teachers, special needs assistants, specialist equipment, assistive technology for children with special needs and specially adapted schools. Children with special educational needs will continue to receive an education appropriate to their needs. The National Council for Special Education, NCSE, will continue to allocate teaching and special needs assistant resources to help schools support pupils with special educational needs. I am proud of these achievements.

In a period of just over ten years, the Government has driven a complete transformation in educational policy for children with special educational needs. Whereas ten years ago most parents of children with significant special education or care needs had no choice but to send them to a special school, three distinct choices are now available. Their children can choose between attending mainstream classes in their local schools with additional supports as required, a special class in a mainstream school or a special school. Clearly, the needs of students can change as they mature. The system now in place provides a continuum of education and options to enable students to move from one setting to another in line with their changing needs.

I had the pleasure at a recent conference to meet a young girl who had special educational needs but is now living independently and studying for her master's degree in NUIG. I appointed her to the national body in order that her voice could inform future policy because I believe she can make a significant contribution.

We will continue to prioritise investment and ensure that additional teaching and care supports are provided so schools can welcome pupils with special educational needs. We will continue to expand the educational psychological service so that every school in the country has a direct service. We will work with the NCSE to ensure that services for children with special educational needs are provided in a co-ordinated and effective manner. We will fund the provision of expert support, professional development and training opportunities in education for all school staff.

Before I finish, I ask Senator Healy Eames whether she really believes that a child who is developing independence and confidence should continue to receive support he or she does not need. Might that inhibit the child's further development? It may not challenge him or her to learn to live independently in later life. Support is aimed at enabling people with special needs to develop their independence.

As a parent, I completely understand the concerns of parents of children with special needs. My niece had special needs along the way. Everyone wants what is best for his or her child. This is understandably an emotive issue and one which we have to be sensitive in addressing. That is why I find it difficult to understand why Senator Healy Eames and the other Fine Gael Senators who support this motion would use parents and their children as a political football.