Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As regards the 10% reduction in support hours, the National Council for Special Education has asked schools to use theme teaching where possible. I visited Scoil Mhuire Gan Smál in Kilsaran, County Louth, last week with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, and my constituency colleague, Deputy Gerald Nash. There are 18 SNAs in that school, all doing a wonderful job for the pupils in their care. Anybody who visited it could not fail to be convinced of the Minister's commitment to special educational needs.