Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I feel sad rather than angry about the latest cut in provision for children with special needs. That is what it is. The officials say it is a case of doing more with the same rather than doing the same with less. However, when it comes down to it, there is extra demand. If a child needs five hours' attention in a week then that is what he or she needs, not the four and a quarter hours proposed for this year or the three and three quarter hours proposed for next year. It is this intervention that enables many children to participate in mainstream education.

A few weeks ago, I tabled a Private Members' motion on the implementation of the report of the National Council for Special Education. On that occasion, credit was given to the Government for what it had achieved, including the 10,000 special needs assistants currently in place and the degree of commitment to provision in this area. However, I thought on that occasion that the Minister looked a little sheepish. I now know why. This is an unacceptable cut. Senator D'Arcy said the Minister was doing the best for his Government. He will forgive me if I am more inclined to believe the statement of Patricia Griffin of Down Syndrome Ireland that the cuts are utterly unacceptable. I think this is an understatement.