Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Tá lúcháir orm deis a bheith agam labhairt ar an ábhar seo tráthnóna agus molaim na Seanadóirí Mullen agus Quinn as an rún seo a chur síos ar an chlár oibre.

This is an important discussion and I commend Senators Mullen and Quinn on tabling the motion. It is an area that can sometimes be overlooked. It is an issue families often face at a very difficult time in the development of a child's education, whether he or she is entering primary school or moving to second level. Families need support at a time when education plays such an important role in a child's development in terms of physiology, education and life skills.

Like every public representative, I have met families, parents and school authorities. Difficulties have arisen as a result of policy or funding. While I fully appreciate that the budget available for special education has increased and is at record levels, at €1.3 billion this year, the availability of resources does not always equate to solving the problem. There is a need to look rationally at how we can make sure that every child who needs special education in a mainstream school can have it afforded to him or her.

While the provision of special education is available to schools, there are competing demands within them for the same chunk of change in terms of special needs assistants. I see that in schools in my constituency. There is often a dilution of the resources available to children. It is very unfair that children should have to compete against each other for the allocation of those resources.

It is important that the report to which others have referred is implemented. The disappointments contained within it must be dealt with. The suggestion that a new model be developed for the allocation of additional teaching resources to mainstream schools based on the needs profile of each school, without the need for diagnoses of disabilities, is something I strongly urge the Minister to consider. It has been referred to in regard to Down's syndrome. I raised the issue on the Adjournment recently. A child with a mild intellectual disability such as Down's syndrome is not afforded the special educational provision that he or she should have. Children with mild intellectual disabilities should be provided with the educational advancement to which every other child has access.

Under the Constitution we cherish all the children equally, which extends to education. The Constitution contains many references to education. Just because a child has a disability does not mean he or she is less equal than another. My cousin's child, who was born ten days ago, has Down's syndrome. That child deserves the right to live, to educational advancement and to educational and job opportunities, as do we all. Just because a child has a disability or his or her ability to learn may not be as fast as that of a friend, brother or sister does not mean he or she should go without.

There is a need for the system to work more effectively and efficiently to ensure the budgets made available to boards of management and schools are adequate and meet demand. The recommendations contained in the report need to be carefully scrutinised and implemented in full. I know the Minister will do that. There are competing demands in his Department. I acknowledge that while there are competing demands, the Minister has not touched the allocation of money for special education in this year's budget. I hope that will continue into next year's budget. He will have to play the game at Cabinet level. We all hope that not only will the budget remain in place but it will increase, because it would benefit children who deserve opportunities.

I know the Department is aware of children with Down's syndrome. All children classified with it should be provided with special educational resources and training. This is not happening, and there is an anomaly. Some 30 children with mild to moderate levels of Down's syndrome will go into school next September, but they will not get the special educational teaching they deserve. It is something that should be corrected. It will not cost a lot of money but I urge the Minister to deal with it. I hope the motion will be accepted on a cross-party basis because it is sensible and well thought out. Those of us on this side of the House are delighted to support it.