Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask colleagues opposite to bear in mind when we debate Second Stage of the Health (Amendment) Bill 2013 today the fact that since the Government took over, 6,000 people per week have given up private health insurance owing to rising costs.

I ask the Leader if the Government actually values children. Does it put them first? Is there any pre-election pledge that Fine Gael or the Labour Party will not break? Is there any item in the programme for Government they will not break either? I ask these questions in the context of the announcement the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, will make today on special needs assistants and resource hours for children with learning disabilities, autism and language disabilities. I remind Government Senators that the cuts began in 2011 when they reduced resource hours and special needs assistants by 12%. Today the Minister will propose that children be given only 75% of the recommended resource and learning supports. He cut the level of support in December's budget. When asked why pupils with disabilities should face cuts, he said everyone needed to go the extra mile. For these children who should be valued, to go the extra mile is more difficult. Children with special needs deserve and require Government support. I ask the Leader why the Government has taken it on itself to bring about a sustained attack on children with special needs and their families. The Government will propose that a child only receive 75% of the recommended hours. It is absolutely disgraceful and I am sure Senators opposite agree. I am certain that not one of them can support the measure with a clear conscience. The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, was in the House a couple of weeks ago talking about what she would do in the provision of pre-school and support services for children. I agreed with much of what she had to say. Unfortunately, however, it is a little late. These are things the Government has been doing since 2011. It has been cutting the level of special needs support and resource hours on a sustained basis. Will the Leader tell me if Fine Gael and the Labour Party believe this is acceptable? Given the gravity of what will be announced today, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Education and Skills attend the House to explain why he sees fit to provide that children with special needs who require resource teaching face a 12% year-on-year cut. It is outrageous, irresponsible and disgraceful.