Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Ciarán Cannon on his elevation. I know he is already doing a fine job.

Having listened to my colleague, Senator D'Arcy and others who have experience in the field of managing schools where numerous special needs teachers have come and gone, I stand here as a person who benefited from an integrated education service, as a person with a severe disability. Senator D'Arcy talked about the kindness of strangers but I would like to put on the record of the House the kindness of teachers. I know there are many teachers who go out of their way, above and beyond the call of duty, to provide special needs assistance and it is remarkable that this is not recognised at all. We have made significant progress since the early 1990s when I left school with regard to the provision of special needs assistance and resource teachers. We are living in a completely different climate. This country is effectively bankrupt. We are, to a large extent, benefiting from the kindness of strangers and we have to be realistic. I agree with a cut of 10% in hours, once the cut is prudent and directed in such a way as to have the absolute minimal impact. The Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, today outlined in great detail how this is being achieved and how it will be achieved for 2011 and 2012. The Government needs to be commended. Although there will be a cut, it is so properly and efficiently channelled that it will have negligible effect. It will not really have any effect.

In the overall approach to dealing with educational funding we must ensure administration costs and wastage are cut and we must ensure cuts in the essential key element - teaching in the classroom - are kept to an absolute minimum. This will be achieved in the programme of work outlined by the Minister of State today, coupled with what is detailed in the programme for Government. The programme for Government has an ambitious objective with regard to education but it will be achieved and of this there is no doubt.

I thank Senator Cummins and the staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas for their ongoing work to ensure the House and its procedures and literature are accessible for me so that I can perform my work and have access to the same information as all other Members.